Geo-tagging of Chinar trees in Jammu and Kashmir

The tree is a major tourist attraction in the valley during the autumn season when its green leaves slowly change into crimson red and golden. 

The Jammu and Kashmir government recently introduced the "Tree Aadhaar" mission, aiming to conserve the region’s iconic chinar trees, which have been in decline over the years. 

This innovative initiative involves conducting a detailed census of chinar trees and assigning a unique identification number, akin to an "Aadhaar," to each one.

What is a Chinar Tree?

The chinar tree (scientifically known as Platanus orientalis var. cashmeriana), also referred to as the Oriental plane tree, is a majestic, maple-like tree known for its expansive canopy. 

Native to the cooler climates of the Eastern Himalayas, chinars thrive in regions with ample water. These trees are a defining feature of the region and can grow to a towering height of up to 30 meters, with a girth ranging from 10 to 15 meters. 

Chinars take approximately 30 to 50 years to mature and can live up to 150 years, reaching their full size after that period.

The Origin of the Name “Chinar” 

The name "chinar" was introduced by the Mughals, with some historians attributing its coinage to Emperor Jahangir. 

It is believed that the name originated when someone, upon seeing the brilliant crimson red leaves of the chinar during autumn, exclaimed, “Che naar ast,” a Persian phrase that translates to "What flame is that?" This event reportedly marked the introduction of the term. 

The Mughals played a crucial role in propagating chinar plantations across the Kashmir Valley and the Chenab region in Jammu. The tree came to be known as the "royal tree," and Emperor Jahangir established the Naseem Bagh Chinar Garden on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, where over 1,100 chinar trees were planted. 

He also introduced chinar trees on a small island in Dal Lake, which came to be known as "Chaar Chinari," meaning "Four Chinars."

Chinar’s Significance in Kashmir 

The chinar tree holds great cultural, historical, and ecological significance in the Kashmir region. Officially designated as the "state tree" of Jammu & Kashmir (now a Union Territory), the chinar is especially admired in the autumn when its green leaves transform into vibrant shades of crimson red and gold, making it a major tourist attraction. 

Beyond its visual appeal, the chinar tree features prominently in Kashmiri art, literature, and handicrafts. 

Local crafts like papier-mâché, hand-woven carpets, embroidery, and walnut wood carvings often feature motifs of the chinar. 

Additionally, the tree holds religious significance, appearing in both Hindu and Muslim shrines across the valley. It is believed that the oldest surviving chinar, estimated to be over 700 years old, is found in Chattergam village in central Kashmir's Budgam, planted by a Sufi saint.

The Chinar Conservation Project 

In an effort to protect these ancient trees, the Jammu and Kashmir government has implemented strict regulations. Cutting down a chinar tree now requires official permission, even if the tree is on private property. However, despite this law, illegal tree cutting has remained an issue. 

To address this, the new "Tree Aadhaar" project was launched. This initiative involves conducting a comprehensive census of chinar trees throughout the Kashmir Valley and the Chenab region. 

Every tree will be assigned a unique identification number, known as the "Tree Aadhaar," and will be geo-tagged for easy tracking. 

The census is being carried out on a district-by-district basis, ensuring that each tree is accounted for and its status monitored closely. 

Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) and Satellite tagging of Ganges dolphin 

• The Union government’s Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) programme was launched after India joined the ‘Mangrove Alliance for Climate’ during the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Egypt in November 2022. 

• The initiative was officially launched on June 5, 2023 on the occasion of World Environment Day. 

• Mangroves are not just some of the most bio-diverse locations in India, they also protect the coastlines from the vagaries of inclement weather. As climate change increases the incidence of extreme weather events across the world, mangrove plantations have shown to make coastal lands resilient, preventing flooding, land erosion and acting as a buffer for cyclones. Furthermore, Mangroves are also excellent carbon sinks. 

Satellite Tagging of Ganges Dolphin 

• The first Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was tagged in Assam on December 18, 2024, marking a historic milestone for Project Dolphin, which aims to conserve India’s National Aquatic Animal. 

The government had declared the Ganga River Dolphin ‘the National Aquatic Animal’ in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) on October 5, 2009.  

• The tagging exercise aims to enhance understanding of species’ seasonal and migratory patterns, range, distribution, and habitat utilization, especially in fragmented or disturbed river systems, as stated in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change press release. 

• The Gangetic dolphin is one of five species of river dolphin found around the world. It is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu River systems. 

• In 2009, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, declared the Gangetic River dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India, in what was an attempt to boost awareness of the species and community participation in its conservation. 

• Both the Indus and Ganges dolphins have been listed as ‘Endangered’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since the 1990s. This classification indicates that the species has “a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild”.