Heritage trees axed: Kashmir’s Amar Singh college faces green loss

The cutting down of 234 trees at the 111-year-old campus of Amar Singh College in Srinagar has caused anger among locals in Kashmir. The authorities removed these poplar trees that had been planted decades ago to create a beautiful avenue in front of the college building.

Amar Singh college's tree removal stirs emotions

These trees, having grown to be 20-30 feet tall, added a special charm to the heritage stone-and-brick structure that showcases Indo-British style architecture. The college itself stands out for its unique handmade 'rubber' bricks, designed in a style influenced by colonial trends of the time. Established in 1913, Amar Singh College also displays rare paintings and murals.

Cutting down these trees has changed the college's landscape, known not only for its historic building but also for the tall poplar trees that were part of its identity.

According to The Wire report, A forest department official confirmed the college's reference of the trees to the Social Forestry Department for evaluation, after which they auctioned them. However, the official could not provide the department's evaluation report.

Srinagar-based art conservator and historian Saleem Beg emphasized, "It is a listed heritage college and a Grade-1 heritage structure." He further noted that the plantation, which was once an attraction among filmmakers and tourists in the city, had been an integral part of the original layout that synchronized the entries, pathways, and buildings of the college constructed in 1913.

In 2004, INTACH classified Amar Singh College as Grade 1 heritage, also listed by the Department of Higher Education in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite this, the state government hasn't recognized it officially. Funded by the J&K government, INTACH undertook conservation projects there, earning the college an Award of Merit in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2020.

People shocked by cut trees

Many students who returned to the college after the winter vacation ended earlier this month found themselves shocked and visibly upset. Scattered along the avenue were lopped logs of poplar trees that had once towered and beautified their surroundings.

Former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Mattu expressed deep disappointment on X about a decision made regarding Amar Singh College. “The person who has taken this decision is extremely ill-suited to be involved even remotely with an educational institution. What an absolutely sad spectacle. Tragic!,” former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Mattu wrote on X.

The outrage has sparked due to the felling of trees, as PDP leader Iltija Mufti condemns it as an act of vandalism under the guise of development. She said, “In ‘Naya Kashmir’, they normalize acts of vandalism under the guise of development."

A former student, Junaid Dar, was hurt with what he called the cold-hearted butchering of trees. “The so-called ‘development administration’ has cold-heartedly butchered the aesthetics of Amar Singh College, my beloved alma mater, by mercilessly axing the picturesque poplar tree tunnel. My heart sinks seeing images of what was once a serene haven where I cherished my college days, now ruthlessly stripped of its greenery. The shameless destruction of our beautiful landscapes is unforgivable; spare these green treasures,” he wrote on Facebook.

Principal plans college makeover, explains

Principal Sheikh Aijaz Bashir said, "We are going for a major makeover in terms of visibility." He further explained the reason for cutting the trees, saying, "The trees have ‘aged’ over some time and are posing danger to life and property. There have been some accidents as well. In one case, a tree fell on a nearby locality and there was a lot of hue and cry. They have been falling due to bad weather as well when there is wind and the soil is loose."

Regarding their plans, he mentioned, "We aim to beautify the college. There will be a see-through gate which will make the heritage building visible. We are also coming up with a state-of-the-art fountain." He also mentioned their reforestation efforts and stated, "We are massively planting conifers which are replacing the trees in the coming days."

The J&K Forest Development Corporation Limited declared that only 59 out of the 182 poplars had been "dry," said officials.

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