Concerned over felling of chinars, Faiz Bakshi, convenor of the environmental group, Environmental Policy Group (EPG) said the felled chinars trees, believed to be over 500 years old, hold immense historical, cultural, and ecological value.“Their destruction represents a blatant violation of laws established to protect such heritage. It is a grave injustice to the legacy of Kashmir,” he said.According to Bakshi, felling of Chinars in Ranibagh, Anantnag is not an isolated incident. “Recent infrastructure development projects including widening of the Narbal-Delina road, saw uprooting of over 100 Chinar trees”.The Chinar tree is a protected species under J&K Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969 and even pruning requires official approval. “Chinar is an environmental beacon, offering vital ecological benefits and an antidote to shrinking green cover,” Faiz said and demanded an independent investigation into the felling of the chinars in Ranibagh and other similar incidents.However, District Floriculture Officer Anantnag said only pruning of dried and hazardous branches of old Chinar trees was carried out at Ranibagh park with due authorization to ensure public safety.“Following an open auction conducted on January 9, 2025, the process was conducted transparently and in accordance with regulations,” he said.
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