SRINAGAR: State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in collaboration with Directorate of Floriculture today released a book titled ‘Chinar Conservation Initiative’. The book release function was attended by Director SFRI, Om Prakash Sharma, Director Floriculture, Abdul Hafeez Masoodi, Director Social Forestry, Neelu Gera, civil society members, lawyers and environmentalists.
On the occasion, Director SFRI said that the objective to organize such functions is to get likeminded people together to raise awareness and mull over ways to revive declining Chinar tree population in Kashmir. Director Floriculture Department said that no permission should be given for construction of a structure in close proximity with the Chinar trees. He also said that the growth and number of Chinars are being regularly monitored by the Department.
While talking about her experiences, Director Social Forestry maintained that “if we really want to save Chinar, all Departments and stakeholders must work in close coordination and help Chinar trees to grow in a suitable environment.” During the function, members of civil society said that they are ready to cooperate with the Government in protecting Chinar trees, which are a cultural symbol of Kashmir. Other speakers on the occasion stressed on wide-scale plantation of Chinar saplings and called for collective efforts to protect the famed heritage of Kashmir.