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| On World Tree Day, Kashmir weeps for Chinars | | |  Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 20: As the world is celebrating World Trees Day today , the majestic Chinar which is the identity of Kashmir is being felled at an alarming rate across Kashmir valley. The face of Kashmir's rich heritage since ages, a decrease in Chinar at a brisk rate, has altered the landscape of the Kashmir valley as well. From last one decade hundreds of Chinar trees have been axed across different districts of Kashmir valley that too with the official permission.
The tree, whose leaves shield the raging sun in summers, turn crimson on the onset of fall. And this augments an aesthetic pleasure of the valley. But last few decades have witnessed considerable decline in its number owing to growing impertinence of people and authorities.
According to Chinar Development Authority the number of Chinars stood at 38,401 in 2007 as compared to 42,000 in 1970. These alarming figures have prompted the surfacing of numerous campaigns which would advocate the conservation of dying heritage.
"Chinar trees are the splendid gift from nature bestowed upon Kashmir," says Zareef Ahmad Zareef, eminent Kashmiri poet and founder of Booun Bachav Campaign. "But due to illicit felling, there is considerable decrease in its number. To fortify this nature's gift, we started a booun bachav campaign (save chinar campaign) in 1984. I hope our endeavor will succeed in protecting Chinars."
He says people should also take responsibility to shield Chinars from extinction, and each member of the society should raise his voice and hamper the illegal felling of the tree.
Authorities, however, claim that they are putting some serious efforts in practice to protect Chinars.
"Department is doing its best to fortify the heritage tree of the valley," said Sunil Misri, Director Floriculture in an interview to a local news paper last year but since then more than 50 chinar trees were felled across Kashmir valley.
But as developmental works-especially, blacktops are being laid to make a way for growing vehicular traffic; scores of Chinars do face the axe!
The Valley Citizens Council a civil society group last year staged massive protests against the unabated felling of Chinars in the Valley. The protests were held by the VCC, Houseboat Owners Association, and representatives of tour and travel at Rajbagh where lots of Chinar trees have been felled from last few years. Only a few weeks back a massive Chinar tree was axed at Kralpora in Chadoora by the locals just to pave a way for construction of a shopping complex of an influential man.
People accuse the staff of the Chinar Development Office of facilitating cutting of chinar trees. "Despite assurances the Government has failed to form a committee comprising members from Revenue, Floriculture, Forest departments and civil society, the trees are being felled in nook and corner of state especially in Srinagar and Budgam" says Sajad Rasool social activist and journalist from Budgam ."Authorities could have prevented the illegal felling of Chinars but the Government seems to be non-serious towards preservation of these trees." Sajad added.
"In many cases to pave a way for construction of houses , shopping complexes people start approaching authorities for seeking permission for construction. During this process Chinar trees are felled and it is a mafia which works in Govt offices for giving permission to cut down chinar trees. We will soon file an RTI application to know the exact status of trees cut down in last two decades" says Umar Javaid a well known RTI Activist from Srinagar
" We must be grateful to Maharaja Hari Singh who had a great vision and it was due to his efforts that a blanket ban was imposed on cutting down of Chinar trees. He not only banned cutting down of Chinar trees but he banned cutting down of mulberry trees , walnut trees, deodars and many other species of forest tress as well , but the present democratic Governments hav no such vision towards environment" said Dr Raja Muzaffar. |
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