The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to involve schoolchildren in preservation of Chinar trees in the Kashmir valley as the species is fast becoming endangered here.

According to the Floriculture Minister, Chinar saplings shall be distributed during the current season to all high and higher secondary schools for plantation and the schools where the survival rate of the plant will be 100 per cent shall be rewarded.

Chinar saplings would be planted in certain areas of the Jammu region on experimental basis. The Chinar, which has become a symbol of Kashmir’s identity, is gradually vanishing because of construction activity in the Valley.

In reply to a question by Dr Mehboob Beg (National Conference) in the Assembly here, the government accepted the fact that the number of Chinar trees had decreased because of various reasons, including air pollution, widening of roads, construction of bridges and buildings.

Although felling of Chinar is banned in the state, there were reports that trees belonging to the species were being cut by the PWD and other government departments during construction activity.

The species is believed to have been brought to Kashmir by the Mughal rulers over 800 years ago. These trees have enhanced the beauty of the Mughal gardens on the banks of the famous Dal Lake.

According to reports a number of Chinar trees were facing the axe in the Anantnag district where roads are being widened. A lot of damage has already been done to the trees along the Qazigund-Srinagar highway.

Although some Chinar trees in the radio station here and on the Ridge in Shimla have survived, but these have remained dwarf. The trees have grown to its original majestic size only in the Kashmir valley where the climate is best suited for its growth. The Chinar trees were planted in the radio station about 50 years ago.

Expressing concern over the damage to the species, Dr Beg told this correspondent that the government should take serious steps to preserve the Chinar. It is a sheer pleasure to see the Chinar shed its red leaves during the autumn, he said, adding that it should be mandatory for government institutions to plant Chinar on their premises.

A Chinar section in the floriculture department was created in 1989, but this has failed to generate the desired results. During a recent survey officials observed that due to aging factor "die back" disease has occurred in some trees. About 70,000 Chinar saplings have been distributed free of cost since 1989 but only a few have survived.