Srinagar: National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri has demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged felling of green Chinar trees, a protected species, in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The Bijbehara MLA was reacting to pictures on social media that purported to show green Chinar trees being felled in the Rani Bagh public park.
“These pictures must be reported to the National Green Tribunal for cognisance and accountability. Meanwhile, the Anantnag deputy commissioner should initiate a high-level inquiry, book the culprits for vandalising public property and impose heavy fines as a deterrent!” he said in a post on X.
Chinar trees are protected in Jammu and Kashmir and cannot be felled or lopped without permission from the divisional commissioner’s office that are issued on the basis of reports of the tehsildar and the district floriculture officer concerned.
Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti also took to social media to hit out at those responsible for felling the trees.
“On even days the Jammu and Kashmir government geotags Chinar trees, promoting conservation, but on odd days 500-year-old Chinar trees symbolising history and the very passage of time itself are felled. Infuriating and puzzling. No excuse whatsoever can justify this travesty,” she said on X.
Environment activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat said the felling of Chinar trees was carried out under the garb of pruning branches.
“Chinar trees in the middle of Rani Bagh in Anantnag have been vandalised under the garb of lopping. I (am) feeling depressed,” he said.
The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) issued a statement saying these trees, believed to be over 500 years old, are integral to Kashmir’s heritage. “Their destruction represents a blatant violation of conservation laws and a grave injustice to Kashmir’s legacy. We demand an independent investigation into this tree felling, and similar incidents,” the EPG said.
The incident in Anantnag is not an isolated case. Recent infrastructure projects, such as the widening of the Narbal-Delina road, have led to the uprooting of over 100 Chinar trees. Similar felling has also been reported near the Wildlife Warden Kashmir’s office at Hokersar Wetland.
Responding to the controversy, the District Floriculture Office, Anantnag, dismissed allegations of illegal tree felling, saying that only “pruning of dried and hazardous branches” was carried out for public safety.
“It has come to the notice that misleading information is being circulated. The facts are that only pruning of dried and hazardous branches of old Chinar trees was carried out with due authorisation to ensure public safety,” the statement said.
Officials said the pruning was done following an open auction on January 9, 2025, and was conducted transparently. “The public has been urged to verify facts before spreading misinformation,” the statement said.
“Several trees in Rani Bagh had dry branches, and the department had repeatedly informed the administration about the risk. In September 2024, after a tourist was injured by a falling branch, we reminded the Deputy Commissioner, which led to permission being granted for pruning,” District Floriculture Office said.
He said the pruning followed all proper procedures and that the auction process was handled by the Revenue department. “The Floriculture department assesses the health status of the trees, but permission for pruning is granted by the Deputy Commissioner’s office,” he clarified.
He also dismissed allegations of illegal tree felling, saying, “Cutting and pruning are routine processes. In some cases, small green branches were trimmed to maintain tree balance, but no tree was uprooted or fully cut down in Rani Bagh.”
Tehsildar Anantnag, Sajad Ahmad said, “Whatever was done was carried out under proper permission and procedure for public safety at both Rani Bagh and Sarnal.” (With inputs from PTI & KNO)
