KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Contrary to the authorities’ claims of preserving the majestic Chinar trees from extinction, it has itself chopped them down in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Locals informed CNS, “on the directions of Tehsildar Imamsahab Shopian the authorities have started chopping down Chinar trees and the process was started with the chopping of a majestic Chinar tree at Zainbato Shopian.”
“Chinar trees are our identity and we must protect and preserve them. We fail to understand why administration wants to cut them down,” said a local.
Locals added that Tehsildar Imamsahab has directed to chop down Chinar trees from other hamlets as well. “It is a serious issue and administration must take cognizance of this issue,” they said.
Despite repeated attempts, Tehsildar Imamsahab Shopian could not be contacted, however, an official of the tehsil said that chopping down majestic Kashmiri Chinars has been granted purely in the public interest.