KNS Impact: Officials admit Chinar’s brittle in Bijbehara

Days after Kashmir News Service (KNS) reported pathetic condition of Chinar trees, located in Bijbehera area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the authorities have taken action and admitted the fact that one among the three Chinar trees has completely dried up, saying that cause of dryness is due to suffocation of roots, which has resulted due to dumping of soil.
According to a detailed report sent by District Floriculture officer, Department of floriculture, Anantnag under number FOA/FD/1900-04, dated 28-09-2018 to Director Floriculture Kashmir, “It is to intimate that in view of a video circulated on social networking site and as per the directions conveyed through you by worthy Secretary floriculture gardens and parks, undersigned along with Tehsildar Bijbehara and Assistant floriculture officer Anantnag, visited the spot.”
The copy available with KNS reads that “Three Chinars are standing at Jehlum embankment near Dara Shikow Garden Bijbehara. One of the Chinar tree has completely dried up.”
T further added that the cause of dryness is due to suffocation of roots, which has resulted due to dumping of soil in the area.
“As we are aware that Chinar tree has surfaced root system, so any activity in root zone like dumping of heavy loads of soil are compaction results in deprivation of oxygen to roots which leads to ultimate dryness of Chinar,” the copy reads, adding that the department of flood control has actually gone for dredging work of Jhelum and the material has been dumped in the area where these Chinars stand resulting in drying of one Chinar tree.
“Moreover, there is immediate threat to other two Chinars if the soil dumped in the root zone of these Chinars is not removed immediately upto 10-12 ft around the main trunk,” it added.
“Also vehicular movements like tractors are plying close to the root basin of the Chinars which results in compaction and may also result in damage to Chinars,” it reads.
Earlier, KNS correspondent, Tassaduq Rashid in a video report had highlighted the pathetic condition of the Chinar trees, wherein the locals also accused the government of turning their eye blind towards the protection of Chinars.
They questioned the silence maintained by the administration over what they termed as negligence of the officials.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan told KNS that he has sought a detailed report over the issue. “The conditions of Chinar trees highlighted by the KNS will be looked into thoroughly. I have sought a detailed report over it,” he said.
He also said that strict action will be taken against the negligent official if any found.