Powered by

Advertisment
Home Biodiversity

Why J&K govt is using Geo-tagging & ‘Aadhaar’ to save Chinar trees

Kashmir has launched a project to geo-tag Chinar trees, marking them with QR codes that contain 25 details, including their age, health, and location. This aims to protect them from urbanisation, diseases, and destruction.

By Ground Report Desk
New Update
Why J&K govt is using Geo-tagging & ‘Aadhaar’ to save Chinar trees

Golden leaves of chinar in autumn season in Kashmir. Photograph: (PixaHive)

Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

A major effort has been launched to preserve and care for Chinar trees in Kashmir, with thousands of these iconic trees being geo-tagged to create a comprehensive database. This initiative aims to protect the trees from the threats of urbanisation, road expansion, and disease.

Advertisment

Chinar trees hold deep cultural and environmental significance in Kashmir, but many have been lost in recent decades. To safeguard them, each tree is tagged with a QR code containing 25 key details, including its location, age, health, and growth patterns. This will allow environmentalists to monitor changes and address potential risks.

"So far, we have geotagged around 29,000 Chinar trees. Some of the smaller trees are yet to be tagged, but they will be included soon," said Syed Tariq, the project head, in an interview with Reuters.

The initiative also aims to involve the public by allowing them to access detailed information about the trees by scanning the QR codes. This step not only raises awareness about the importance of Chinar trees but also encourages community participation in their preservation.

The name "Chinar" is believed to have been given by the Mughals, with some attributing it to Emperor Jahangir. According to one story, the term originated when someone, seeing the crimson red leaves of the tree from a distance during the autumn season, exclaimed, "Che naar ast," a Persian phrase that means "What flame is that?" This phrase is said to have been the inspiration behind the name "Chinar." The Mughals were instrumental in expanding Chinar plantations across the Kashmir Valley and parts of the Chenab region in Jammu, where they considered the tree to be a "royal tree."

During Jahangir’s reign, he established the Naseem Bagh, a Chinar garden on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, which housed more than 1,100 Chinar trees. Additionally, Jahangir planted Chinar trees on Chaar Chinari, a small island in Dal Lake, which was named after the four Chinars planted there.

Importance of Chinar trees

Chinar trees symbolise Kashmir's culture and environment, taking around 150 years to mature. They can grow up to 30 meters (100 feet) tall with a girth of 10 to 15 meters (30 to 50 feet). The oldest Chinar tree, on the outskirts of Srinagar, is about 650 years old, the oldest known in the world. "Chinar trees are a testament to the region's history and heritage," says Syed Tariq, the project head overseeing their preservation. Some are between 300 and 700 years old, and embedded in Kashmir's cultural identity.

In recent decades, the trees have faced significant challenges. Many have been neglected, and hundreds have been felled. “In the last few years, more than 50 Chinars have been cut down in Srinagar,” reports a local environmentalist.

Before 1947, Kashmir had over 45,000 Chinars, but by 2017, that number dwindled to about 35,000. Efforts to restore and protect these trees have intensified, with the local administration starting to celebrate Chinar Day in 2020, during which hundreds of new Chinars were planted.

So far, around 28,560 Chinar trees have been enumerated and geo-tagged. Dr. Syed Tariq, the project coordinator, estimates that the total number of Chinars in the region is between 32,000 to 33,000. "The trees in no-go areas, like security installations, are hard to access, but we’ve successfully tagged all accessible trees," Dr. Tariq explained.

Conservation efforts and geo-tagging

Kashmir has faced decades of turmoil, impacting its environment and heritage. But in recent years, the situation has improved, leading to increased tourism and development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Kashmir, inaugurating a tunnel and announcing the completion of several road and rail projects. “These projects will help us safeguard the Chinar trees while preserving Kashmir’s environmental heritage,” said Modi during his visit.

To protect Chinars and other trees, ultrasonography-based devices (USG) have been implemented. This technology assesses tree health without human intervention, allowing accurate monitoring. "We use this device to evaluate tree risk factors without manual inspection," explained Tariq.

Geo-tagging has become a powerful tool in global environmental conservation. In Nairobi, Kenya, Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement used GPS technology to record urban and rural trees for sustainable planning. "Geo-tagging helped us protect trees while allowing urban expansion," said Maathai, underscoring its significance in balancing growth with nature conservation.

In the Amazon rainforest, geo-tagging and satellite monitoring systems help track illegal logging and deforestation. Organisations like Global Forest Watch rely on this data to protect critical ecosystems.

Similarly, in India, geo-tagging has been used to manage trees in Bengaluru and Himachal Pradesh. In Bengaluru, Say Trees conducted a census of over 100,000 trees, using the data to identify areas for new plantations. “Geo-tagging has helped us monitor tree health and ensure better urban planning,” said an official from the organisation.

Geo-tagging is crucial in cities like London, Singapore, and California. "With geo-tagging, we can monitor trees in real-time, identify at-risk species, and involve the public in conservation efforts," says an environmental expert. This use of geo-tagging offers benefits like real-time monitoring, public engagement in conservation, and sustainable urban planning that preserves greenery while fostering development.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

California Fires Live updates: destructive wildfires in history

Hollywood Hills burning video is fake and AI generated

Devastating wildfire in California: wind, dry conditions to blame?

Los Angeles Cracks Under Water Pressure

From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.