11 majestic Chinars meet criteria for ‘World Monumental Tree List’

Pulwama, Dec 04: Kashmir province of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory boasts eleven Chinars with a substantial diameter at breast height (DBH), qualifying them for inclusion in the list of world monumental trees.
Dr. Syed Tariq, the coordinator of the Chinar Census Project in J and K, unveiled this remarkable revelation, highlighting the conservation significance of these ancient trees
He said that as part of the Chinar Census Project, scientists have been meticulously building a comprehensive database for these majestic trees, focusing not only on their numbers but also on their age.
He said that previous knowledge suggested an aged Chinar in the Kralpora area of Budgam with a 48 feet diameter at breast height.
However, as per the Scientist ongoing data collection has unveiled numerous Chinars surpassing the 50 feet mark in diameter.
“We have identified at least one such Chinar in each district of Kashmir,” said Dr. Tariq, adding that districts like Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, and Srinagar host Chinars boasting diameters exceeding 50 feet.
He informed that the highest Chinar recorded so far stands at an impressive 54 feet diameter at breast height.
Dr. Tariq emphasized that a forum dedicated to listing Platanus Orientalis (Chinar) species as world monumental trees exists.
While acknowledging larger Chinars in other countries, he emphasized that these 11 Chinars from Kashmir would likely secure positions in the top 20, as the forum records both the number and size of registered trees.
He believes that inclusion in the world monumental tree list will enhance the global recognition and conservation efforts for the Kashmiri Chinar.
The ongoing census project has already geo-tagged approximately 18,000 Chinars across the ten districts of Kashmir, documenting 25 different characteristics for each tree.