MLA Bijbehara seeks inquiry into felling of Chinar trees in south Kashmir’s Anantnag

Srinagar, Feb 26: National Conference MLA from Bijbehara, Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, today sought an inquiry into felling of Chinar trees in Anantnag.

In a post on X, Veeri said, “These pictures must be reported to the National Green Tribunal for cognizance & accountability @rtimuzaffar. Meanwhile, @DCAnantnag should initiate a high-level inquiry, book the culprits for vandalizing public property, & impose heavy fines as a deterrent! @CM_JnK.”

The felling of 500-year-old Chinar trees in Anantnag’s Rani Bagh has evoked sharp criticism from environmentalists and activists like and come barely few weeks after the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) conducted geo-tagging of Chinar trees in Srinagar.

The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has strongly criticised the felling of Chinar trees and in a statement it said these trees hold immense historical, cultural, and ecological value. “Their destruction represents a blatant violation of the laws established to protect such heritage and a grave injustice to the legacy of Kashmir. It is highly alarming that this incident is not isolated. Recent infrastructure development projects, including the widening of the Narbal-Delina road, saw the uprooting of over 100 Chinar trees,” the statement said.

Reacting over the felling of trees, PDP leader, Iltija Mufti, posted on X, “On even days J&K govt geo tags chinar trees promoting conservation but on odd days 500-year-old Chinar trees symbolising history & the very passage of time itself are felled. Infuriating & puzzling. No excuse whatsoever can justify this travesty.”

Meanwhile activist, Raja Muzaffar Bhat, said, in a social media post said, “This is very tragic that we plunder our heritage.”