SRINAGAR: Kashmir should phase out its traditional seedling-origin walnut trees and replace them with grafted varieties to reduce serious injuries and deaths from falls during harvesting, a study has recommended, describing walnut picking as a significant seasonal occupational hazard in the region.
The recommendation follows a study of 106 patients admitted to the Government Medical College, Srinagar, after falling from walnut trees during the 2006 harvesting season. Six patients died, while 16 suffered paraplegia and 18 underwent splenectomy. The study found that falls from walnut trees were the fourth most common cause of trauma admissions during the peak harvest period.
Published in Clinical Reviews and Opinions in January 2013, the study, Pattern of trauma related to walnut harvesting and suggested preventive measures was conducted by doctors Mudassir M Wani, Rajandeep Bali, Iqbal Saleem Mir, Nisar Hamadani and Mubashir Wani. The researchers reviewed trauma cases presenting to the Accident and Emergency Departments of Government Medical College Srinagar during August-October 2006, covering the walnut harvest and the immediate post-harvest period.
Of the 106 patients, 105 were men, and one was a woman. In 104 cases, the injury resulted from a fall from a walnut tree, while two patients were injured by broken branches. The largest group of victims was aged 31-40, with 38 cases, followed by those aged 21-30 with 22 cases and 41-50 with 20 cases.
The injury burden was substantial. The study recorded 48 upper-limb injuries, 42 lower-limb injuries, 28 spinal injuries, 22 abdominal injuries, 12 head injuries and eight chest injuries. Distal-radius fractures were the most frequently recorded fracture, followed by injuries to the D12-L1 region of the spine and calcaneum fractures.
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The researchers attributed much of the danger to the traditional method of harvesting. Walnut trees in Kashmir were largely described as seedling-origin trees, with mature trees reaching around 30 metres. Workers traditionally climb the trees, often barefoot, and use long sticks to strike branches while using both hands. This can leave them unable to maintain their balance, particularly when branches are shaken vigorously.
The timing of harvesting also adds to the danger. The study noted that walnuts are often harvested before they are fully mature, when the fruit remains more firmly attached to the branches, and greater force is required to dislodge it. Of the 106 injuries, 86 occurred during harvesting, 14 after harvesting and six at other times.
Children emerged as another vulnerable group. The researchers said they were the second most important group involved in such accidents, particularly after the harvest when children climbed trees to collect walnuts left behind. The paper specifically recommends preventing young boys from climbing tall walnut trees.
The proposed shift to grafted walnut trees is therefore central to the study’s preventive approach. The researchers say grafted varieties are dwarf trees with higher yields and could substantially reduce the height from which workers have to harvest. They also recommend educating farmers to harvest only after the fruit has properly matured, with hull breakage serving as an indicator of maturity.
The study further calls for legislation restricting harvesting to properly trained personnel and recommends protective equipment as well as tethering or restraining devices to prevent falls.
The economic cost of these accidents was also significant. At the time of the study, hospital admission alone was estimated at Rs 20,000 per patient, while operative charges ranged between Rs 15,000 and Rs 50,000.
The researchers concluded that falls from walnut trees, although seasonal, constitute a serious occupational hazard for farmers and labourers in Kashmir and argued that preventive measures should focus on changing both the trees being cultivated and the methods used to harvest them.
