Srinagar: A census conducted by the J&K Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) has identified more than 30,000 Chinar trees across the Kashmir Valley, the government informed the Legislative Assembly during the ongoing session.
The survey covers all districts of the Valley, excluding trees located inside security force camps and installations. The census comes amid concerns over the declining population of the iconic tree due to ageing, disease, pests, construction and developmental activities.
In response to a question by Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment said JKFRI had undertaken a survey-based census of Chinar trees across Kashmir.
“JKFRI has undertaken a survey-based census of Chinar trees in Kashmir, under which around 30,000 Chinar trees have been surveyed, excluding trees present in security campuses and installations,” the government said.
The Chinar, scientifically known as Platanus orientalis, is native to Kashmir and can grow up to 30 metres in height. The tree can take around 150 years to reach full size.
The government said the Chinar population, once estimated at around 42,000-45,000, has declined due to “natural senescence/ageing, diseases and pests, and due to cutting of trees for developmental activities”.
“Shrinking of land and burgeoning population are among the reasons badly affecting the chinar health and number,” it said.
A previous JKFRI survey in 2023, when around 18,000 trees had been documented, found at least one-third of the surveyed Chinars to be diseased or damaged. The institute also reported cases of broken tops, hollow trunks and damage to tree bases caused by construction and natural hazards.
Restrictions on Chinar cutting
The government said strict restrictions are in place to protect Chinar trees. In Budgam, even cutting a branch requires prior permission from the local administration.
“Carving nails, hammering signboards, damaging barks or roots of chinar is not permitted,” the government said, adding that violations are dealt with under existing rules.
To replenish damaged and pruned trees, the Department of Floriculture has planted 709 Chinar saplings over the past three years and distributed 7,134 saplings free of cost to the public, educational institutions and security installations.
70 orders issued for pruning in Budgam
The government said 70 orders were issued in Budgam over the past three years for lopping dried or hazardous branches. During the same period, 161 representations were received seeking permission to prune such branches.
650-year-old Chinar under protection
The government also said protection measures have been initiated for a 650-year-old Chinar at Chattergam in Budgam, described as one of the oldest of its kind in Asia.
The measures include installing iron fencing around the tree’s critical root zone to prevent soil compaction and root suffocation.
The census, which began in spring 2021, has also identified Chinars that are considerably older and larger than those previously documented. The JKFRI team found a tree in Budgam that appears to be nearly 1,000 years old.
