The alleged felling of centuries-old chinar trees in Indian-administered Kashmir has triggered widespread outrage, with locals and images suggesting they were cut down, while the government maintains it was merely routine pruning. The controversy has renewed attention on the endangered tree and ongoing conservation efforts.
The chinar is an iconic part of Kashmir’s landscape, attracting tourists, especially in autumn when its leaves turn vibrant shades of red and auburn. Though native to Central Asia, the tree was introduced to Kashmir centuries ago by Mughal emperors and has since become deeply rooted in the region’s culture.
However, factors like rapid urbanization, illegal logging, and climate change threaten its survival, prompting authorities to take conservation measures. The Jammu and Kashmir government has been geotagging chinar trees, assigning QR codes to document their location, age, and condition.
“We are digitally protecting chinar trees,” says Syed Tariq, a scientist leading the project. He explains that the QR codes not only help locals and tourists learn about the trees but also serve as a safeguard against illegal or reckless cutting. So far, around 29,000 trees have been geotagged, with 6,000–7,000 still to be mapped.
Despite its heritage significance, the exact number of chinar trees remains uncertain. While official records estimate 40,000, Mr. Tariq believes the figure is debatable, noting a clear decline in their numbers. Given that the tree takes at least 50 years to mature, environmentalists warn that new plantations face challenges, including limited space and rising temperatures. The region’s increasingly warm summers and snowless winters further threaten the species.
On the positive side, chinar trees have remarkable longevity, with some surviving for hundreds of years. The oldest known chinar in the region is believed to be around 700 years old. Many existing trees date back centuries, boasting massive trunks and sprawling canopies.
The tree flourished under Mughal rule (early 1500s to mid-1800s) when emperors, drawn to Kashmir’s cool climate and stunning scenery, planted them extensively in pleasure gardens designed for aesthetic appeal. Emperor Akbar is said to have planted about 1,100 chinar trees near Dal Lake in the 16th century, though road expansion and pest infestations have reduced their numbers to around 400. Similarly, his son, Emperor Jahangir, planted four chinars on a small island in Dal Lake—now a well-known tourist spot called Char Chinar. Over time, two of these trees perished, but the government replaced them with mature transplants in 2022.
Legally, the chinar is protected under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969, which regulates its felling and export, requiring official approval even for pruning. Despite changes in Kashmir’s administrative status in 2019, the law remains in effect.
However, environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat argues that legal loopholes are often exploited to cut down chinar trees. “Under the guise of pruning, entire trees are felled,” he says, citing a recent case in Anantnag that provoked public outcry. He also points out the contradiction in government efforts—geotagging trees on one hand while removing them for urban projects on the other. Additionally, illegal felling by locals remains an issue, as chinar wood is valuable for carvings, furniture, and even firewood.
Despite these challenges, government initiatives like geotagging are raising awareness. Mr. Bhat notes that Kashmiris, deeply attached to the chinar as part of their heritage, are increasingly speaking out against its destruction. Recently, many took to social media to share images of the alleged felling in Anantnag, while opposition leaders called for an investigation.
“The government must protect these trees in both letter and spirit,” Bhat emphasizes.
“Without the chinar, Kashmir would lose a piece of its soul.”
