MY KOLKATA EDUGRAPH
ADVERTISEMENT
photo-article-logo Wednesday, 22 January 2025

India turns to geo-tagging to conserve Jammu and Kashmir's iconic 'Chinar' trees

The trees are a cultural and ecological symbol of the restive northern territory, which is claimed in full by India and Pakistan and ruled in part by both, but hundreds of them have been lost over the last few decades

Reuters Published 22.01.25, 04:17 PM
1 4
A worker installs a QR code-based GIS plate, a geo-tagging process, on a plane tree locally known as Chinar as part of the tree conservation, in Srinagar. (Reuters)
ADVERTISEMENT

Authorities in Indian Kashmir are geo-tagging thousands of 'Chinar' trees to create a comprehensive database for their management and help conserve them amid threats from rising urbanisation, road-widening projects and diseases.

The trees are a cultural and ecological symbol of the restive northern territory, which is claimed in full by India and Pakistan and ruled in part by both, but hundreds of them have been lost over the last few decades.

2 4
A worker installs a QR code-based GIS plate, a geo-tagging process, on a plane tree locally known as Chinar as part of the tree conservation, in Srinagar. (Reuters)

Under the geo-tagging process, QR codes are attached to each surveyed tree, recording information about 25 characteristics, including its geographical location, health, age, and growing patterns, enabling conservationists to track changes and address risk factors.

The public can also scan the code to access the details, Syed Tariq, the head of the project, told Reuters.

"We have geo-tagged nearly 29,000 trees, but we still have more small-sized trees that haven't been tagged... These will be tagged in due course," Tariq said.

3 4
A worker holds QR code-based GIS plates before installing them on a plane tree, locally known as Chinar, as part of the tree conservation, on the Kashmir University campus, in Srinagar, January 22, 2025. (Reuters)

The Chinar trees take around 150 years to reach their full size of up to 30 metres (100 ft) in height with a girth of 10 to 15 metres (30 to 50 ft) at ground level.

The oldest Chinar in the region lies on the outskirts of the city of Srinagar and is around 650 years old.

"We are using a USG-based (ultrasonography-based) gadget capable of determining risk levels without human intervention. The gadget will assess risk factors, eliminating the need for manual evaluation," Tariq said.

4 4
Workers install a QR code-based GIS plate, a geo-tagging process, on a plane tree locally known as Chinar as part of the tree conservation, in Srinagar. (Reuters)

The portion of Kashmir under India's control was roiled by violence for decades as militants fought security forces, but the conflict has eased in recent years, leading to a gradual rise in development projects and tourism.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kashmir last week to inaugurate a tunnel and, during the event, said that numerous road and rail connectivity projects in the region would be completed in the coming days. 

Follow us on:
ADVERTISEMENT

MORE IN PICTURES

Share this article

CLOSE