Home / Environment / Kashmir's Chinar Trees: Over 30,000 Counted Amidst Decline
Kashmir's Chinar Trees: Over 30,000 Counted Amidst Decline
24 Sep
Summary
- Over 30,000 Chinar trees identified across Kashmir Valley in a recent census.
- A significant portion of surveyed Chinar trees were found diseased or damaged.
- New saplings are planted annually to compensate for damaged Chinar trees.
A census conducted by the J&K Forest Research Institute has revealed over 30,000 Chinar trees across the Kashmir Valley. This count, excluding those within security installations, highlights ongoing concerns about the declining population of this iconic species. The survey found that at least one-third of the identified Chinar trees are diseased or damaged, with issues stemming from construction, natural hazards, and aging.
Government measures are in place to protect the Chinar trees, with strict regulations against cutting even branches without prior permission. Efforts to conserve the species include planting new saplings annually by the department of floriculture. Over the past three years, 709 saplings have been planted, and 7,134 distributed to the public and institutions.
Specific protection efforts are underway for a 650-year-old Chinar tree in Budgam, Asia's oldest, which had dried branches. Measures include fencing to prevent soil compaction. The census also identified an exceptionally old Chinar tree in Budgam, estimated to be nearly 1,000 years old, underscoring the historical significance of these trees in the region.
