SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to prioritise the preservation of mature chinar trees while undertaking infrastructure projects, expressing concern over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s reported remarks on objections to the felling of chinars for development.
EPG Convener Faiz Bakshi said road expansion and infrastructure development should not come at the expense of Kashmir’s ecological, historical and cultural heritage. He urged the government to explore alternative road alignments and design modifications before approving the removal of mature trees.
His remarks follow the Chief Minister’s reported comments in Ganderbal that people from Kashmir and even Mumbai raise objections whenever chinar trees are felled.
Bakshi said the chinar, locally known as *Bouin*, was deeply connected to Kashmir’s cultural identity and landscape, and its significance extended beyond its physical presence along roads and public spaces.
He said mature chinars provide shade, support biodiversity, absorb carbon and help regulate local temperatures, adding that newly planted saplings could not immediately replace the ecological benefits of trees that had taken decades to grow.
“Chinar is not just another tree standing along a road. It is a living symbol of Kashmir’s heritage, history and cultural identity,” Bakshi said, stressing that the value of these trees should not be assessed solely in terms of space or their impact on road-widening projects.
The EPG convener said the government’s stated commitment to environmental conservation must be reflected in decisions taken on the ground. While acknowledging the need for improved roads and infrastructure, he said the felling of mature chinars should not be treated as an unavoidable consequence of development without first examining other options.
He also called for proper environmental assessments and safeguards to be incorporated into infrastructure projects, urging the government to ensure that tree felling was considered only after all feasible alternatives had been explored.
Bakshi said public concern over chinar conservation, including from people outside Jammu and Kashmir, should be welcomed rather than viewed as opposition to development.
He urged the Chief Minister to direct the concerned departments to prioritise chinar preservation, particularly in Ganderbal, and ensure that mature trees were protected wherever possible.
“Kashmir needs development, but not at the cost of its identity,” Bakshi said, adding that progress should involve improving infrastructure while safeguarding the region’s natural heritage for future generations.
