Srinagar, Sep 23: A 650-year-old Chinar tree at Chattergam in Budgam, described by the government as the oldest Chinar tree in Asia, is still green and alive.
There has been natural loss of some of its older and dried branches, the remaining portion is being protected and preserved, the government said.
The government accepted that the chinar numbers in J&K have declined and attributed it to various factors, including cutting down of trees for “development activities, shrinking land and burgeoning population”.
In addition, natural ageing, disease and pests have also contributed to decrease in tree numbers.
The information was furnished by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department in response to a question raised by MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi in the Legislative Assembly.
Responding specifically about the Chinar at Chattergam, the department said, “The chinar tree at Chattergam Budgam is the Asia’s oldest chinar tree (650-years-old).”
It said that some of the older and dried branches of the tree had naturally fallen, while “the remaining portion of the chinar is green.”
The department has also said that protection measures have been instituted around the tree. This includes installation of iron fencing around the critical root zone (buffer zone) of the Chinar. Measures intended to prevent soil compaction and root suffocation have also been put in place.
“This will help to avoid any traffic in root zone,” the reply stated.
The government said that protection measures are in place for Chinars across Kashmir.
Around 30,000 Chinar trees have been surveyed in Kashmir, excluding those located in security campuses and installations, it said.
Moreover, the Government has said that no Chinar branch can be cut without permission from the local administration.
“Nobody is allowed to cut down even a branch of chinar with the prior permission from the local administration as per the standing rules thereof,” the reply said.
In addition, carving nails, hammering signboards, and damaging the bark or roots of Chinar trees is also an offence.
The Department of Floriculture, the reply states, has planted 709 Chinar saplings in gardens and parks during the last three years.
An extra of 7134 saplings were distributed free of cost to the general public, educational institutions, and security establishments in the Kashmir Division.
In Budgam specifically, replying to the question of the MLA, the government said that 161 representations seeking permission for pruning dried or hazardous Chinar branches were received during the last three years.
Permission was granted in 130 cases.
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