The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that the Chinar tree at Chattergam in Budgam is around 650 years old and is among the oldest Chinar trees in Asia, while outlining various measures being taken for its protection and preservation.
In a written reply to an unstarred question raised by MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in the Legislative Assembly, the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department said that some of the older or dried branches of the Chattergam Chinar have naturally fallen off, while the remaining portion of the tree is green.
The department said protection measures for the heritage tree include installation of iron fencing around its critical root zone to prevent soil compaction and root suffocation and help avoid traffic in the area.
Regarding the decline in Chinar trees in Kashmir, the government said the reasons include natural senescence or ageing, pest and disease attacks, cutting of Chinars for developmental activities across the Union Territory, shrinking land and a burgeoning population.
It said several measures have been put in place for the protection and preservation of Chinar trees, including a prohibition on cutting even a branch without prior permission from the local administration as per the standing rules.
The government further said that carving nails, hammering signboards, or damaging the bark or roots of Chinar trees is prohibited, and action is taken against violators.
The Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks has been planting new Chinar saplings every year to compensate for damaged or pruned trees. During the last three years, 709 Chinar saplings have been planted in gardens and parks maintained by the department, while 7,134 saplings have been distributed free of cost to the general public, educational institutions and security installations in the Kashmir Division.
The government said that whenever permission is granted for pruning a Chinar branch, the use of lime or “Chabatia” pruning paste on the pruned portion is recommended.
The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) has also undertaken a survey-based census of Chinar trees in Kashmir, under which around 30,000 Chinar trees have been surveyed, excluding those located inside security campuses and installations.
Regarding pruning or cutting of dried or damaged Chinar branches in Budgam, the government said permission is issued by the District Development Commissioner/Revenue Department. During the last three years, 70 orders were issued by the competent authority for lopping dried or hazardous branches of Chinar trees in Budgam.
It said 161 representations seeking permission for pruning dried or hazardous Chinar branches in Budgam were received during the last three years. Of these, 130 cases were disposed of after obtaining technical opinion.
Requests seeking permission for pruning Chinar branches are generally disposed of within one month, the government said, adding that site visits are conducted during the active growing season from March to November to assess the health of the trees and prevent misinterpretation during the dormant winter season—(KNO)
