Chinar, locally known as Booen, is Kashmir’s identity. This majestic tree also called Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) is found throughout the landscape of the Kashmir valley and some parts of Jammu region as well. It has been recognised as a Royal Tree under the section 36 of J&K Land Revenue Act 1939 (Samvat 1996). Chinar was brought to Kashmir from central Iran. It is believed that the oldest known Chinar tree which is around 650 years old was planted in Chattergam area of Chadoora in District Budgam by a central Asian preacher Syed Qasim Shah Hamadani (RA). It is said that this tree is one of the oldest chinar trees in Asia? During the Mughal Rule in Kashmir their local Governors planted hundreds of Chinars across Kashmir especially in the Mughal Gardens of Shalimar, Nishat, Achabal and many areas around Srinagar. During Pathan and Sikh rule the local authorities used to plant Chinar trees and in the Dogra rule 1846-1947 thousands of Chinars were planted in the length and breadth of Kashmir. The last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh is said to have ordered massive plantation of Chinars and the most important Chinar that was planted by him is present at Lalit Grand Palace hotel of Srinagar. This palace used to be the residence of Maharaja Hari Singh. 

Birds losing their habitatDue to urbanisation in Kashmir a large number of Chinars were cut down, especially during the last 30 to 40 years. With the decreasing numbers of Chinars and many other special trees like walnut and mulberry, even the avian life of Kashmir is also getting adversely affected. This has impacted not only the........

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