Widespread Condemnation of Felling of Centuries-Old Pine (Chinar) Trees in IIOJK

The controversial felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in Islamabad district of IIOJK has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for a thorough investigation into this environmentally and culturally damaging act.

The felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in the Islamabad district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has sparked widespread condemnation. Political leaders, environmentalists, and activists are calling for an independent inquiry into what they describe as an anti-heritage and anti-environmental action.

Chinar trees, regarded as a symbol of IIOJK’s heritage, are a protected species under the IIOJK Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969. These trees are revered not only for their cultural importance but also for their role in maintaining the region’s ecological balance.

Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the ruling National Conference, called for a high-level investigation into the incident. He urged the authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for the illegal act. Veeri’s comments came after images of the felled trees surfaced on social media, prompting outrage from the public. He demanded that the culprits be held accountable for vandalising public property.

Iltija Mufti, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also criticized the government’s actions, highlighting the contradiction in their policies. She pointed out that while the government claims to protect the region’s heritage, such acts of destruction reveal the lack of commitment to preserving IIOJK’s natural and cultural resources.

Environmental activists have expressed alarm over the systematic erosion of IIOJK’s green heritage. Raja Muzaffar Butt, a prominent environmentalist, lamented the destruction of the Chinar trees in Rani Bagh, Islamabad. He stated that the trees were falsely labeled as being pruned when, in fact, they were being felled. “Chinar trees in the middle of Rani Bagh have been vandalised under the garb of lopping. I am feeling depressed,” he remarked, expressing his frustration over the incident.

The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), an influential environmental organization, has also condemned the felling of these historic trees. The group described the act as a “grave injustice to the legacy of Kashmir.” They emphasized that these Chinar trees, which are believed to be over 500 years old, hold immense cultural, historical, and ecological value.

The destruction of these trees has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of environmental degradation in IIOJK. As the region faces growing challenges related to environmental conservation, this incident highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for the natural heritage of the area.

The felling of the Chinar trees in Islamabad has triggered widespread public outcry, with calls for an independent investigation and stronger safeguards for the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting IIOJK’s environmental legacy and the role of heritage trees in maintaining the ecological and cultural identity of the region.