The fading glory of chinar

The splendid tree has fallen victim to the 20-year long night of militancy and to government apathy.  No proper census is available  on  the number of surviving chinar trees or  the acreage under this tree.

Legends about chinar accord it the status of a heavenly gift to earth. In Kashmir, it is known as bouni,  a name derived from the sanskrit word  Bhawani (the goddess  of shrines).

The hollow trunk of the tree has been used for meditation over years. It was considered sacred and thus planted at places of worship.  There is hardly any village  where it did not exist at the beginning of the last century.  Though chinar is found growing from Kashmir to Kashgar (Afghanistan and Samarkand), it is most prolific  in Kashmir. Chinar plantation and its  care received special attention during the Mughal period. Kings, queens, nobles and powerful governors had contributed immensely to  systematic plantation. There are plenty of chinars  in Nishat and Shalimar gardens.

 It was in September 2001 that some researchers spotted Asia’s oldest chinar in Chittergam village,  in Budgam district of central Kashmir. Previously, a chinar, said to have been planted by Dara Shikoh (son of Shah Jehan) in 1636 AD, at Darashika Bagh at Bijbehars in Anantnag district, was considered to be the  oldest chinar in South Asia.
Pran Nath Wanchoo, an expert on chinar believes Mughals did not introduce chinar in Kashmir. But they were great architects and have made good use of chinar trees in landscaping.

Char Chinar, in the heart  of Dal Lake is world famous. But sadly enough, only three chinars remain. He has noticed that chinar trees have been developing ‘leaf spots.’
The present generation, says Wanchoo has done nothing to enrich the legacy of the chinar.  According to a survey done by The Department of Parks  and Gardens in the 90s, there were atleast 5000 chinars within the Srinagar municipal limits.

The department also planted 900 saplings but militancy nipped them in the bud. From 42,000 chinars in the 70s, today the number has dwindled to just 2000. It is galling that the government has allowed reckless pruning of this tree to accommodate construction activities.

Road tarring is asphyxiating the tree. Experts say that a Chinar never withers unless it is damaged wilfully. Several chinars have been hacked in Naseem Bagh.  

Chinar when nourished has many gifts to offer. Its wood is used by craftsmen. Its shade is abundant and its a hardy survivor in all weathers.

In winter, its twigs gather snow. In spring, its leaves turn velvety. In summer, they turn a deep green and then turns aglow with autumn  shades. It will be a tragedy if such an integral part of the Kashmiri landscape dies a slow and lingering death because of apathy and neglect.