Aadhaar for Chinar Trees | 29 Jan 2025

Source: IE

The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) government has initiated the “Tree Aadhaar” mission to conserve the region's iconic chinar trees (Platanus orientalis var. cashmeriana) by geo-tagging and mapping trees, giving each tree a unique ID through a detailed census.

Chinar Tree:
Type: Deciduous tree from the Platanaceae family.
Characteristics: It is native to cool, water-rich regions of the Eastern Himalayas, can grow up to 30 meters tall with a girth of 10-15 meters.
- It takes 30-50 years to mature and up to 150 years to reach full size.
Protection Status:
- IUCN: Data Deficient
Significance: The tree, named during the Mughal era (Jahangir), is the state tree of J&K, and is a major tourist attraction, particularly in autumn.
- It holds cultural significance in local art, literature, and crafts such as paper-mâché and carpets.

Tree Aadhaar Mission:

Launched in 2021, the mission tracks Chinar trees to prevent unauthorized cutting.
Over 28,560 trees have been geo-tagged with unique Tree Aadhaar numbers.
Each tree features a QR code, using GIS technology, providing details on its location, height, girth, health, and ecological threats.