In a first of its kind achievement in the country, the J&K Forest Department has successfully completed the transplanting operation of two tall Chinars at the famous Char Chinar, Dal Lake Srinagar to restore its erstwhile glory.
Acting upon the directions of Lt. Governor and instructions of Chief Secretary, J&K, Forest Department formulated a strategy in the month of October, 2021 in consultation with technical experts of Floriculture Department, LCMA and Scientists of SKUAST and JKFRI for restoration of ‘Ropa Lank’ in Dal Lake popularly known as Char Chinar, by transplanting tall Chinars – the State tree of Jammu & Kashmir.
It was given out that only one healthy mature tree exists on spot requiring no treatment. The decaying second tree was given silvicultural /chemical treatment for development of existing root suckers into a substitute tree. Two new tall transplants were required to be planted at the 3rd and 4th tree sites for which two large pits with 6 feet diameter and 5 feet depth were dug out in advance before onset of winter. Infected soil was removed and good quality soil brought from outside the Dal Lake for the purpose.
Two candidate transplants with height of about 25 feet and girth of 28 inches each were finally selected at Dal Foreshore road, where they were experiencing stressful conditions. After obtaining legal permission for their removal, the two transplants were systematically dug out along with roots and balls of earth and lifted by using a long arm hydraulic Crane. They were transported to Char Chinar on a large barge pulled by a tug boat.
