Srinagar, Jan 22 (KNS):In a major step to protect Kashmir’s iconic Chinar trees, the government has geo-tagged nearly 29,000 Chinar trees across the region, with more trees to be added soon.

The project, launched in 2021 by the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department in collaboration with the J&K Forest Research Institute (FRI), aims to create a detailed database of Chinar trees using GIS-based and QR-enabled surveys.

Dr. Syed Tariq, Project Coordinator at FRI, said the team visited every Chinar tree across Kashmir to record essential details. Each tree has been tagged district-wise, and information such as its health, age, and growth has been recorded under the Chinar Tree Record Form (CTR-25).

“The QR codes placed on trees allow the public and researchers to access information easily by scanning them,” Dr.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelTariq said.

The collected data includes the tree's location, height, health status, and necessary measures for its preservation. Officials revealed that Ganderbal district has the highest number of Chinar trees and also hosts the world’s third-largest Chinar with a girth of 74 feet.

The next phase of the project will include uploading the data on a dedicated website and adding another 10,000 trees to the database within a year. The department also plans to introduce a USG-based gadget to assess the health and risks of Chinar trees without human involvement.

Officials believe this effort will help in better conservation and long-term management of the Chinar trees, ensuring their protection for future generations. (KNS)