Jammu, March 15, 2025 – The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department launched an ambitious Chinar plantation drive today within the premises of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, marking the celebration of Chinar Day. The initiative, led by Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Javed Ahmad Rana, aims to plant 1,000 Chinar trees across the Union Territory, reinforcing the region’s commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage.
The event at the Civil Secretariat saw Minister Rana planting the first sapling, joined by officials and staff in a symbolic gesture to kick off the territory-wide campaign. Speaking at the occasion, Rana emphasized the Chinar tree’s significance as a “valuable asset” to Jammu and Kashmir, noting its role in attracting tourists and enhancing the region’s scenic beauty. “The Chinar is not just a tree; it’s a symbol of our identity and a gift to future generations,” he said, as reported in posts on X.
The plantation drive comes as part of a broader effort by the Forest Department to conserve the iconic Chinar, which has faced declining numbers due to urbanization, infrastructure projects, and environmental challenges. With a target of 1,000 trees to be planted on Chinar Day, the initiative spans both the Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu, including the Chenab and Pir Panjal regions where Chinars also grow. The department has been collaborating with the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Research Institute (JKFRI) to geotag and monitor existing Chinar trees, with over 28,000 already documented under the innovative “Tree Aadhaar” project.
Local residents and environmentalists have welcomed the move, seeing it as a step toward safeguarding a tree deeply embedded in Kashmiri culture and history. The Chinar, known for its majestic canopy and vibrant autumn hues, has long been a tourist draw, particularly in places like Srinagar’s Mughal gardens. However, its population—estimated at around 32,000 to 33,000—has dwindled from a reported 40,000 in the 1970s, prompting such conservation efforts.
The Chinar Day plantation drive builds on recent efforts to protect the species, which is safeguarded under the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969. Posts on X from sources like DIPR J&K and Radio News Jammu highlighted the event’s significance, with visuals of the Civil Secretariat ceremony circulating widely online. The initiative also aligns with the government’s push to balance development with ecological preservation in the Union Territory.
As the Forest Department works toward its 1,000-tree goal, officials say the campaign will extend beyond symbolic plantings, with plans to nurture the saplings into maturity. Given that Chinar trees take 30 to 50 years to fully mature, today’s efforts are seen as an investment in Jammu and Kashmir’s environmental future—one that locals hope will keep the region’s landscapes crimson and golden for decades to come.