The government of Jammu and Kashmir has started the process of geo-tagging Chinar trees in an effort to preserve this iconic heritage of the Kashmir Valley.

Dr. Syed Tariq, a scientist at the Forest Research Institute, explained, "Chinar trees are significant oxygen producers and play a vital ecological role. Recognizing their importance, we decided to monitor the Chinar population in the Valley. Leveraging advanced technology, we have provided each tree with a unique 'Digital Aadhaar.' These trees now have scannable QR codes, with district-specific codes assigned to track them. So far, we have identified and geo-tagged 28,560 Chinar trees."

He added that forest areas have played a crucial role in protecting these trees. "We have recorded their physical characteristics and linked them to QR codes. By scanning the code, one can access detailed information about each tree. Additionally, we’ve launched a ‘Save Chinar’ campaign. This initiative will create a comprehensive database of Chinars, which will soon be made publicly accessible. Currently, we estimate the total number of Chinars in J&K to be between 30,000 and 35,000. We are also planting new saplings and installing metal plates on 10,000 Chinars as part of the preservation effort."

Mohd. Yaseen Reshi, a contractor working on the geo-tagging project, shared his enthusiasm, saying, "This is a groundbreaking project for Kashmir, and I am proud to be a part of it. The Forest Division has provided excellent technical support, and we are committed to completing this initiative as quickly as possible. It’s a remarkable step forward."

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