Srinagar, Feb 28: Chinar trees continue to face the axe despite the authorities claiming doing everything to protect them.
At Super Specialty Hospital, Shireen Bagh, three Chinar trees were cut down to save the buildings.
“It was done as the tress posed threat to the newly-constructed buildings and to the visitors,” sources said.
People, however, term it “unfortunate”.
“The trees were chopped few days back, while as the construction was started 2007,”said a security guard on the condition of anonymity.
An attendant, Nazir Ahmad, said: “If they were posing threat to the life or buildings, wasn’t it then a responsibility of the authorities to construct the buildings some distance away. Chinar takes years to grow.”
Renowned Environmentalist, Bhushan Parimoo, while criticising the authorities, said Chinar trees have been fast dwindling.
He said Chinar trees were being cut down randomly without the authorities taking any concrete measures for their conservation.
Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Srinagar and in-charge Sub-District Magistrate East, Masrat Hashimi, said the hospital had a proper permission to cut down the trees.
“As per the Tehsildar concerned, permission was obtained to cut down the trees,” he said.
Chinar trees are known for their antiquity, magnificence, cool shade and a royal touch.
The trees can grow up to a height of 100 feet from the ground and their girth could go up to of 40 feet’s.
The word Chinar has its origin from Persian language, it is a native of Persia, Greece, and Italy.
Old Chinar groves are seen at various places like Tulamula (Kheer Bhawani), Zeethiyar (Zestha Mata), Vichar Nag, (Soura), Shardaji (Keran), Nagbal (Anantnag) and Martand Temple (Mattan).
Three Chinar trees at Shreen Bagh Hospital cut down ‘with permission’
