In a remarkable step towards preserving the iconic Chinar trees of Jammu and Kashmir, a groundbreaking initiative blending technology with conservation has taken root.
Over the past four years, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) and the Forest Department have geotagged more than 28,000 Chinar trees across the region, creating a comprehensive database to safeguard these cultural and ecological treasures.
Launched in 2021, the project employs Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and QR codes to monitor and protect the Chinars.
The initiative, which will continue until 2025, involves detailed documentation of each tree, including its height, girth, canopy size, health status, and precise geographical location.
The information is recorded using the Chinar Tree Record Form (CTRF-25), ensuring a standardised approach to documentation.
Dr Syed Tariq, Project Coordinator at JKFRI, described the project’s achievements as transformative. "We have made several important discoveries, including identifying a Chinar in Ganderbal as the largest in Asia. It has a girth of 22.25 metres and a height of 27 metres,’’ he said.
“Another Chinar in Baramulla has been recognised as the third-largest in the world," he explained, adding that the Forest Department has successfully transplanted two mature Chinar trees.”
He highlighted the Chinar’s historical and cultural significance in Kashmir, with some trees tracing their origins to the Mughal era.
"Emperor Akbar is said to have planted over 1,200 Chinars at Naseem Bagh, many of which are still standing today," he said. Bijbehara, famously called the ‘Town of Chinars’, is home to one of the oldest specimens at Padshahi Bagh.
The conservation initiative also distributes Chinar saplings to schools, government institutions, and security forces.
A Vegetative Multiplication Garden (VMG) has been established to ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality saplings. At the same time, efforts to transplant mature trees, including the famous Char Chinar on Dal Lake, are ongoing.
The integration of QR codes with geotagged Chinars has significantly enhanced public engagement. These QR codes, affixed to plates designed to grow unobtrusively with the trees, allow citizens to scan and access real-time information about each tree’s health and status.
Dr Tariq reiterated the importance of public participation, calling it a vital component of the project’s success.
"We have been hosting educational campaigns, producing documentaries, and celebrating events like ‘Chinar Day’ on 15 March and the ‘Chinar Fall Festival’ on October 15,’’ he said.