Axing the heritage, District Anantnag stands tall for chinar tree cutting

Axing the heritage

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag 26, February: The majestic chinar tree which is the identity of Kashmir is being felled at an alarming rate here in south Kashmir’s  Anantnag district. Despite a ban, illegal cutting of chinar trees is being frequently reported from various parts of the Anantnag district.

Chinar, which is synonymous with Kashmir and can be found throughout the landscape of the scenic Valley,  is being vandalized in the name of development etc. Over the last decade, hundreds of chinar trees have been axed across the different areas of Anantnag District that too with official permission.

An order issued by the ADC Anantnag Gulzar Ahmad issued in the first week of January 2021 wide order number DCA/MISC/879 Dated 2-01-2021 reads,’ an auction in respect of five branches of chinar trees at GMC Anantnag.” however, the said chinar trees were slashed down in half instead of cutting down of branches of the tree in GMC Anantnag.

The order reveals that during the auction the highest bidder namely Mohd Altaf Dar son Gh Rasool Dar to remit the bid amount of Rs 12000  in Govt Treasury under Account head 0029 LR, furnished a copy of the treasury receipt to this office for records before allowing the highest bidder to lift the wood of the said branches of chinar tree order reveals.

However, sources told  Arising state that the wood of the chinar tree which is laying in the lane of the GMC Anantnag the authorities could cost him more instead of bid amount of Rs 12000.

The chopping down of certain species of trees including Walnut, Mulberry, and Chinar is a punishable offence under the Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 in the state.

However, some unknown persons break this law with impunity. The Act was enacted to make provisions for the topping, lopping, girdling or otherwise damaging a specified tree, although the Act to punish or make bureaucrats accountable for harming rare species of trees is yet to be passed.

There is a blanket ban on cutting and felling of walnut trees and permission for the same is to be sought from the Divisional Commissioner, who can provide such permission in rare cases, if the growth of a tree can endanger and risk the life or property, said official wishing anonymity.

He said that a gross violation had happened in GMC Anantnag instead of branches the chinar tree was slashed in half. Added that the practice is going unchecked in many rural areas and in many instances the authorities are turning a blind eye, he said.

However, as far as Preservation of Specified Trees Act 1969 is concerned, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, no person shall fell any specified tree except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this Act. Provided that a permit granted under this section shall not authorize the felling of a specified tree by any person other than the owner thereof.

Talking to Arising state Medical superintendent GMC Anantnag Mohammad Iqbal said that the branches of the chinar tree were posing risk to the roof of the hospital building. ”We had got permission from the District Magistrate office before the branches of the tree were cut down, he said.”

Meanwhile, when asked about the cutting of half chinar tree instead of branches ADC Anantnag Gulzar Ahmad said,’ I will seek the report, if there is any violation action will be taken, ADC said.