Srinagar, Sep 22: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said the historic Chinar tree at Chattergam in Budgam district is around 650 years old, describing it as the oldest Chinar tree in Asia.
The government made the statement in response to a question raised by Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, MLA from Budgam, regarding the condition and preservation of the centuries-old tree.
The Minister in charge of the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department said that some of the older and dried branches of the Chinar had naturally fallen off, while the remaining portion of the tree continues to remain green.
The government said several protection and preservation measures have been initiated to safeguard the tree. An iron fence has been installed around its critical root zone, or buffer area, to prevent soil compaction and root suffocation and to keep vehicular movement away from the root zone.
The government also attributed the decline in the number of Chinar trees across Kashmir to several factors, including the natural ageing and senescence of old trees, diseases and pest attacks, as well as the felling of Chinars for developmental activities across the Union Territory.
Shrinking land availability and a growing population were also cited among the factors affecting the health and survival of Chinar trees.
Under the existing protection measures, no person is permitted to cut even a branch of a Chinar without prior permission from the local administration in accordance with the prescribed rules. The government has also prohibited activities such as hammering nails into trees, attaching signboards, carving on the bark and damaging the bark or roots.
To replenish damaged or pruned trees, the Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks undertakes annual Chinar plantation. Government offices, private institutions and the general public are also encouraged to plant Chinars, with saplings being provided free of cost.
According to the government, the Floriculture Department planted 709 Chinar saplings during the last three years in gardens and parks maintained by the department. In addition, 7,134 Chinar saplings were distributed free of cost to the general public, educational institutions, security installations and other stakeholders across the Kashmir division.
The government said that whenever permission is granted for pruning a Chinar branch, the pruned portion is recommended to be treated with lime or Chaubatia pruning paste to protect the tree from infection and further deterioration.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) has undertaken a survey-based census of Chinar trees across Kashmir. Around 30,000 Chinar trees have so far been surveyed, excluding those located within security campuses and installations.
The government further informed that permission for pruning or cutting Chinars is issued by the offices of the District Development Commissioners or the Revenue Department, as per the applicable procedure.
In Budgam district alone, 70 orders were issued by the competent authority during the last three years for the lopping of dried or hazardous Chinar branches.
During the same period, 161 applications seeking permission to prune dried or hazardous Chinar branches were received in Budgam. Of these, 130 cases were disposed of after obtaining and providing technical opinions.
The government said the measures are aimed at protecting the surviving Chinars while promoting fresh plantation to ensure the conservation of the iconic tree species in Kashmir.
