SRINAGAR, March 14 – In a bid to protect Kashmir’s iconic Chinar trees from illegal felling and environmental threats, authorities have launched a “Digital Tree Aadhaar” initiative, assigning unique identification numbers to thousands of Chinars across the region.
The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) has geotagged 28,560 Chinar trees using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and QR codes, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring, officials said. The initiative aims to curb illegal encroachment and ensure better conservation of these legally protected trees.
Tracking Kashmir’s Natural Heritage
“The initiative functions like a vehicle registration system. Each Chinar tree now has an identity, making it easier to monitor its health and location,” said Syed Tariq Kashani, a forest division officer overseeing the project.
Kashmir’s Chinar trees, known for their vibrant red foliage in autumn and lush green canopy in spring, have long been a symbol of the region’s heritage. However, rapid urbanization, climate change, and unauthorized felling have significantly reduced their numbers.
Once, estimates of Chinars in the region varied widely, from 4,000 to 40,000, with no official count. A structured census began in 2021, when Kashani and his team recorded 18,000 trees. By 2024, another 10,000 trees were added to the database, with each tree tagged for longitude, latitude, altitude, height, health, and diameter.
New Discoveries in Ancient Groves
Budgam district is home to some of Asia’s oldest Chinars, while Ganderbal has revealed a new record-holder—a massive tree measuring 22 meters in girth and 27 meters in height. It surpasses the previous largest recorded Chinar in the continent, which stood at 14 meters in girth and 16 meters tall.
However, the world’s largest Chinar remains in Georgia, Europe, standing 27 meters in girth and 30 meters high, according to forest officials.
Chinars have been part of Kashmir’s landscape for centuries. The trees are believed to predate the Mughal era, although historical accounts credit Emperor Akbar with planting 1,200 Chinars in Naseem Bagh near Dal Lake in Srinagar. Today, Bijbehara, known as the “Town of Chinars,” remains a stronghold for these towering trees.
Technology for Conservation
The Digital Tree Aadhaar initiative ensures Kashmir’s Chinars are no longer vulnerable to neglect. Metal tags displaying QR codes now hang from their branches, allowing authorities and researchers to track their condition instantly.
With conservation efforts gaining momentum, officials hope the initiative will prevent unauthorized tree cutting, ensure preservation, and sustain Kashmir’s cultural and ecological heritage.
(Inputs from various reports)
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
