Decaying chinar trees pose serious threat to residents in Tenghara Pulwama, say locals
Pulwama: The residents of Tenghara area in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are living under constant fear as several centuries-old Chinar trees in the locality have started decaying, turning from symbols of heritage and beauty into potential dangers for life and property.
Locals said that these majestic trees — once admired for their sprawling canopies and historical significance — have grown weak over the years due to aging and lack of maintenance.
Their hollow trunks and brittle branches often snap unexpectedly, especially during windy or rainy weather, posing a serious risk to anyone nearby, locals said.
They said on Wednesday a massive branch from one such tree came crashing down, damaging the boundary wall of a residential house.
“Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the incident has intensified public concern. “We were lucky that no one was passing by when the branch fell,” said a local resident.
“But next time, we may not be so fortunate. These trees need immediate attention before they cause a tragedy.” He said.
Residents added that despite repeated pleas, no official action has been taken to assess or prune the deteriorating trees.
They said the decaying Chinars, though part of the valley’s rich cultural and environmental legacy, now demand urgent safety measures.
“These trees are part of Kashmir’s identity, but ignoring their condition could lead to disaster,” said another local. “We are not asking for them to be cut down unnecessarily — only that experts examine them and remove the ones that are beyond saving.”
People have urged the district administration, along with the floriculture and forest departments, to initiate a detailed safety inspection in the area. They suggested that old, hollow trees be replaced with new saplings to maintain the heritage while ensuring public safety.
Locals have also appealed for professional arborists or forest officials to assess the trees’ health using scientific methods. “Regular pruning and timely maintenance could help preserve most of these trees,” residents said. “But if nothing is done, we may soon see accidents that could have easily been prevented.”
The residents hope that the administration will act swiftly to safeguard both human lives and Pulwama’s historic green heritage before it is too late
