Why Iconic Chinar Trees in Kashmir needs Conservation

In 2021, the forest department of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) initiated a project which involved a GIS-based and QR-enabled survey to determine the total number of Chinar trees in Kashmir and their characteristics.

As part of this project by the J&K Forest Department and the J&K Forest Research Institute, Chinar trees are geo-tagged to create a comprehensive database and help conserve them amid environmental dangers.

Chinar Trees face several environmental threats due to urbanization, pollution and climate change. Under the geo-tagging process, QR codes are attached to each surveyed tree, recording information like its geographical location, health, age, and growing patterns, enabling conservationists to track changes and address risk factors.

The special attention towards the conservation of Chinar trees is because of their grandeur and cultural and historical significance in the Kashmir region. The iconic Chinar tree (or Platanus orientalis) is known for its resilience, beauty, and longevity.

Typically, a Chinar grows from 20 to 30 meters (65 to 98 feet) and in favourable cases can reach up to 35 meters (115 feet). It takes around 30 to 50 years for the trees to reach their mature height and around 150 years to grow to their full size.

The Chinar tree has a broad, spreading canopy, with a trunk that can grow quite large in diameter over the years. The leaves are broad, lobed, and palmately shaped, with certain similarities with the maple leaf, but Chinar leaves tend to be much larger. 

The leaves are a vibrant green during the warmer months, creating a lush canopy. However, as the weather cools, the leaves turn into beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange, making the Chinar one of the most spectacular sights in autumn, especially in Kashmir.

Chinar trees are important to the local biodiversity, as they provide shade, reduce the temperature in the area, and support birds and small wildlife.

After the autumn, the tree sheds its leaves, leaving the bare branches to create a striking contrast with snow-capped mountains in the background. The fallen leaves form a carpet of colour, which adds to the picturesque landscape of the region.

Their bark is greyish and tends to peel in large patches, giving the tree a unique appearance.

Because they can live for centuries, these massive trees, along with their distinctive leaves and bark, make them an iconic feature of Kashmir, standing as a witness to history and culture.

Chinar Trees in Kashmir are found in public spaces, parks, and gardens, particularly in the capital, Srinagar, which is also famous for the Mughal Gardens (often referred to collectively, as the three gardens — Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi). 

Shalimar Bagh (Garden) is famed for its beautiful Chinar trees with more than 2oo of them, including a few which are over 300 years old. The oldest Chinar in the region lies on the outskirts of the city of Srinagar and is around 650 years old.

The backdrop of Chinar Trees in Mughal Gardens is featured in famous Hindi songs like “Tum se acha kon ha” from the 1965 movie Janwar, and “Kora Kagaz tha ye man mera” from the 1969 film Aradhna. The trees are mentioned in Kashmiri poetry, and their leaves often appear in art and symbolism.

Chinar trees found in the Mughal Gardens, along the shores of Srinagar’s Dal Lake and other famous sites create Instragammable worthy pictures for tourists that visit Kashmir region.

In the region, it’s also common to see artists incorporate the shape and pattern of the Chinar leaf on handicrafts like carpets, and decorative items made with paper mâché like bowls, plates, trays, and jewellery boxes.

As Jammu and Kashmir is getting rapidly urbanized, some of the Chinar trees have been damaged or removed for development purposes.

However, efforts are being made to conserve them and raise awareness about their importance, including the initiative to geo-tagging Chinar trees in Kashmir. 

The authorities are using ultrasonography-based devices capable of determining risk levels without manual evaluation. The QR-based digital plate is affixed to each tree which can be scanned to access detailed information about these heritage trees.

The Chinar trees in Kashmir are woven into the fabric of the region’s identity, culture, and environmental well-being, therefore their protection is critical for the region’s future.

Apart from digital protection, authorities must focus on sustainable urban planning, environmental awareness, and legal safeguards to ensure the iconic Chinar trees thrive for future generations.