Elderly Kashmiris’ Love for Trees
Plants symbolize life, hope and renewal with a unique significance all over Kashmir. Our elders who loved to plant trees have left behind a valuable legacy that reminds us of, each day, how they worked with the earth, remained connected with their roots and fostered a sense of identity. Not only did they found peace, therapeutic and spiritual benefits in these plants but they weaved stories of tradition, culture and resilience. Having nurtured life and beauty, their love for plantation transcends generations, inspiring their successors to adopt this timeless tradition.
Their passion for preservation also reflects Kashmir's strong community spirit when neighbors often gathered to share their stories by holding interactions under trees in summers to strengthen bonds, build friendships, and create a sense of belonging—thus, found a profound joy in nurturing nature.
No doubt, our elders were illiterate but when we deeply introspect what they did for us, that’s costlier. Literally, what could be the biggest blessing than leaving behind the neat and clean surroundings for us? Had they not planted for us trees like Boo'en (chinar), Brimij Kul (E.neetle tree known botanically as Celtis austrails), Tull Kul (mulberry tree), Anjir Kul (fig), Dhaa’en Kul (pomegranate), Dach Kul (grapes), Doun Kul (walnut tree), etc, our life would have been altogether different.
These plants quite often recall us of our elders who found solace not only in nurturing plants, watching them grow, and basking in their beauty but believed physical activity, fresh air, and connection with nature a great source of stress relief and well-being.
Reflecting on my own childhood, I fondly recollect, how our elders took us with them to take rest under the dense canopy of the Chinar trees in the vicinity where one would really feel relaxed and calm. And, truly, no sooner we lay down with our elderly under the cool shade than we would drift in a sound sleep—considered the biggest therapy in those days.
There are still two old chinar trees in my locality which are called Aaram Boo’en (the resting Chinars). Just a decade back, when my beloved teacher Lt. Gh. Nabi Shah, Makhdoomi aka Nub Sab from Dangiwacha, planted a twig of Boo’en in a local school. I remember everyone said that it won’t grow. But, today under the shade of this beautiful tree, so many students are seen relaxing themselves—reminding us not just of Nub Sahib’s great souvenir and passion for plantation but the significance of trees in the surroundings that we have failed to understand now.
I’m often reminded of that beautiful site, when our elders would take us along to a mulberry tree with that Tchader Pa’et (a hand woven fabric that kept them warm) after our school. Those mulberry trees are still standing there. Very often, we were taken to Hameed Chacha’s yard where under two huge mulberry trees we spread that Tchader Pa’et to collect Shah Tull (sweet white mulberry fruit).
Sometimes, two or three persons among our elders climbed those tall mulberry trees and shook the braches to let the Tull (fruit) fall down on the Tchader Pa’et, spread below. Then, after removing the leaves from the stuff, how calmly they sat down to relish the mulberry that was considered good for the stomach and the intestines then. I find tranquility when I recall those moments to have spent with my elders in the somber beauty of my village suburbs.
Dach Kul (grapes tree) that Mokhet Maas would often take care of in my locality will never fade from my memories. No doubt, the tree bore the sour grapes, yet, when in autumn season she harvested the fruit, she would distribute them in bunches among the neighbors so that everyone would get the share. The elderly like Mokhet Maas in every village had then a deep connection with the trees that benefited them in multiple ways. However, as modernity has encroached upon traditional Kashmiri life; the significance of these seems so absurd.
Former Secretary Cultural Academy & ADG, Doordarshan, Srinagar, Dr Rafeeq Masoodi says that planting trees in Kashmir were once a lovely tradition that has almost declined now. We can’t pay back to our elders who devotedly planted trees like Brimij, Bou’en, Dach Kul, etc. for us.
They not only treated trees as symbols of life that nurtured cultural traditions but it gave them peace, comfort and calmness. But how unfortunate to say that presently people plant only such trees which have got the commercial value!
“Aslaf Saen Aaess Shu’ol Rachan, Re’chen Jaiyen Ruwan Boo’en; Pareth Lehkheth Aaess Kya Hicha'an, Sanuv Karov Nayayh Hoo’en.”(Loosely translated, it means: Our elders planted shady trees. But alas, despite being so educated, we have grown just the nonsense!), says noted poet and culture preservationist Zareef Ahmad Zareef. “Our elders were virtuous who thought of us, always.
They gave us shade and food by nurturing plants which represent our cultural heritage. We must not forget what they did for us and do the same for our future generations”, he, sarcastically further added.
Today, as we reflect on the cultural landscape of Kashmir, there is a palpable sense of loss for the shared heritage slipping into obscurity each year. Yet, there is a glimmer of hope, and that is to reconnect with the roots of wisdom and rediscover the forgotten traditions of planting trees by our ancestors that once embellished this land of Rishis and Sufis.
Manzoor Akash, Educator and Author from Rafiabad, Baramulla
