by Dr Farooq A. Lone
Kashmir’s white birch, once vital to writing, architecture, culture, and medicine, has largely disappeared from the valley floor, raising concerns about heritage loss and ecological change
White Birch Tree, locally known as Burza Kul, is yet another fascinating element of arboreal vegetation closely linked to the history, culture and heritage of Kashmir. The tree, and more importantly its bark, occupy a unique place in the story of Kashmiri civilisation, stretching from ancient manuscripts and religious practices to architecture, archaeology and traditional medicine.
The term Burza refers to the thin sheets drawn from the inner bark of birch trees. Kashmiri people appear to have long understood the remarkable utility of these sheets, especially for writing. Since ancient times, birch bark has been extensively used for books and manuscripts, and these sheets are also referred to as bhojpatra. The most ancient manuscripts of Kashmir were written on this material. Both Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim pirs made use of it for writing their respective mantras and amulets, a practice remembered across generations.
According to some experts, the use of birch bark was so widespread and culturally entrenched that when handmade and later machine-made paper appeared in Kashmir, it adopted the same name—burzah. This linguistic continuity alone speaks volumes about how central birch bark once was to daily life, scholarship and religious practice. It was used not only locally but also exported to distant regions before the invention of paper, and research conducted by various scholars suggests that Kashmir Burza served as a major source of ancient Indian manuscripts.
The utility of the tree extended well beyond writing. One of its major historical uses was in architecture, specifically in the roofing of shrines and buildings until the recent past. These roofs, known locally as Burza Pash, were formed by spreading a thick layer of birch bark over wooden logs to create a waterproof, water-resistant surface. A final layer of mud was added to complete the roof. Most residential houses, religious shrines and other structures built during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries featured Burza Pash roofs, and some such structures still survive today, quietly reminding us of a rich architectural heritage. In Srinagar, the Madin Sahab Shrine in the downtown area remains a striking example.
During the era when mud roofs were common, these structures added a seasonal vibrancy to Kashmir’s built environment. The roofs supported a variety of vegetation, and in the spring, when the red flowering tulip (Gul-e-Lala) bloomed, entire neighbourhoods were transformed, with the rooftops turning red and lending the habitations a distinctive beauty that is still remembered with fondness.
Evidence of birch in the ancient geological record of Kashmir is equally compelling. Palaeobotanical and palynological studies have confirmed its presence in Pliocene and Pleistocene Karewa deposits. Archaeological excavations have added further weight to its historical significance, with charcoal belonging to Betula utilis (the Himalayan birch) recovered from the Neolithic I levels at Burzahom and from the Northern Black Polished Ware and Kushan levels at Semthan. These findings suggest that birch grew at lower elevations in the past, unlike today, when the White Birch Zone is confined to altitudes between 3100 and 3600 metres.
The name of the archaeological site Burzahom, long considered a type-site for the northern Neolithic, further hints at a time when birch woods existed within the valley proper. The widespread existence of Burza Pash buildings until recent decades, coupled with the abundant historical use of birch bark sheets, reinforces this conclusion. The tree’s disappearance from the valley floor appears to be a recent phenomenon, likely the result of human activity. The removal of leaves for feeding sheep and goats, along with the peeling of bark for writing material and roofing, may have contributed significantly to its decline.
One of the most important milestones associated with birch bark in Kashmir’s wider region is the discovery of the Gilgit Manuscripts. These manuscripts, dating roughly to the fifth or sixth century AD, represent the earliest known dated birch bark manuscripts linked to the broader Kashmir area. Discovered in 1931, they comprise a significant collection of Buddhist texts written in Buddhist Sanskrit using the Sharda script. A portion of this collection is displayed at the SPS Museum in Srinagar, with the remainder housed in the National Archives of India. Although these manuscripts are the oldest dated specimens, references by early Sanskrit writers indicate that birch bark was used for writing in ancient Kashmir as early as the third or fourth century AD.
The birch tree also holds a long-standing place in traditional medicine. While its specific medicinal uses in Kashmir are not extensively documented, it features prominently in global folk medicine traditions. Birch sap, leaves and bark have been used to treat a wide range of ailments. As a well-known diuretic, birch helps increase urine production and flush toxins, making it useful for kidney and urinary tract conditions. Compounds such as betulin, betulinic acid and methyl salicylate give birch preparations anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and they have been used for joint pain, arthritis, gout and muscle aches.
Topical applications, whether in the form of washes, oils or poultices, are used for eczema, burns, wounds, rashes and even hair-related issues such as dandruff and hair loss. Birch leaf teas and sap are considered purifying tonics believed to cleanse the body and support immune function. Teas prepared from the leaves or inner bark have been used to ease stomach ailments, heartburn, ulcers and digestive discomfort.
Some traditional uses have also found validation in modern research. Birch bark extracts have shown a proven ability to accelerate wound healing. Studies on betulin and betulinic acid are exploring their potential anti-cancer properties, while laboratory research has confirmed the antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant properties of birch extracts—strengthening their historic reputation for aiding the body’s defences.
From ancient manuscripts to sacred architecture, from folklore to archaeology, and from traditional healing to ecological memory, the birch tree remains deeply woven into the story of Kashmir. Its decline from the valley floor is not merely an environmental loss but a cultural one—raising important questions about how much of this heritage can still be preserved and how much is already slipping beyond reach.
(A former IAS officer, the author was the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission. Ideas are personal.)
