Srinagar: The authorities in Kashmir have started geo-tagging thousands of iconic Chinar trees to generate a comprehensive database for the management of the ancient trees.
“We have geo-tagged 28,560 Chinar trees so far and likely to add more in coming days”, Project officer Syed Tariq told media in Srinagar on Wednesday.
Tariq said the data of Chinar trees were being recorded in all the districts and have been identified with the prefix of district identity code with a unique number.
“The Chinar trees were provided with a unique district wise number with maintaining all the information in our database similar to records of vehicles being kept by the Regional Transport Office (RTO)”, the officer said.
Tariq said the survey of all Chinar trees across the Kashmir valley has been completed and a district heritage register is being created in all the districts for the records of the tree. He said metal Geo tagging of some of them is also being done.
“We have converted all the data of the trees into QR code and 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”, Tariq said.
He said the authorities would be in a position to keep all the cumulative data that will be framing a Chinar atlas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Asked about the reason for geo tagging of the trees, Tariq said “ the geo tagging would help us to keep the data of Chinar trees digitally and it would be at ease it will also help to maintain the census of these trees available to all”.
The officer said that interestingly during the survey, a chinar tree was measured 74 feet in girth and the third largest in the world found in Kashmir valley.
Tariq said there are inputs available with the department that provides the status of a Chinar tree including how many are dried or green. He said the data also helps us to know whether there is a need for any secondary management that could help to enhance the life of trees.
Pertinent to mention here that it is believed that the Persian scholar, poet, and Sufi saint Mir Sayyed Ali Hamadani have introduced chinar trees to Kashmir around 1370 AD. The oldest Chinar in the region lies on the outskirts of the city of Srinagar and is around 650 years old.
UNI
