Anantnag: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has strongly condemned the felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in Rani Bagh, Anantnag, calling it a grave violation of heritage and environmental laws.
Believed to be over 500 years old, these trees held immense historical, cultural, and ecological significance, making their destruction deeply distressing.
National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri has demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged felling of green Chinar trees, a protected species in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These pictures must be reported to the National Green Tribunal for cognisance and accountability. Meanwhile, the Anantnag deputy commissioner should initiate a high-level inquiry, book the culprits for vandalising public property, and impose heavy fines as a deterrent!” he said in a post on X.
Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti also took to social media to denounce the act.
“On even days, the Jammu and Kashmir government geotags Chinar trees to promote conservation, but on odd days, 500-year-old Chinar trees—symbolising history and the passage of time—are felled. Infuriating and puzzling. No excuse can justify this travesty,” she posted on X.
Despite the J&K government’s recent geo-tagging initiative to protect Chinars, the incident has sparked outrage among environmentalists and locals, who see it as a blatant disregard for conservation efforts.
“This is not an isolated case,” EPG stated, pointing to infrastructure projects like the widening of the Narbal-Delina road, which has led to the uprooting of over 100 Chinar trees. The group had also protested against tree felling at the Wildlife Warden Kashmir’s office in Hokersar Wetland, and the ongoing Narabal-Baramulla Road expansion continues to threaten Chinars up to Delina.
EPG criticized the administration for failing to enforce the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969, which strictly prohibits the felling of Chinars without special permissions.
“The Chinar is not just a tree; it is an emblem of Kashmir’s identity and a vital ecological asset,” the group asserted, highlighting its role in temperature regulation, biodiversity conservation, and combating deforestation.
Calling for an independent investigation into the Rani Bagh incident and similar violations, EPG insisted that officials and contractors involved must be held accountable under the law. The group also urged authorities to prioritize alternative solutions in development projects that safeguard Chinars and other heritage trees.
Additionally, EPG stressed the need to strengthen the geo-tagging and monitoring system under the Chinar Conservation Project to prevent further destruction.
“If such violations continue unchecked, Kashmir will lose not just its environmental wealth, but also a living symbol of its rich cultural heritage,” the organization warned.
