States » NorthPosted at: Oct 19 2026 9:45PM


New chinar saplings cannot replace centuries-old heritage: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Oct 19 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the proposed removal of mature Chinar trees for road-widening work in Ganderbal, saying saplings can not compensate for the loss of centuries-old heritage.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said a chinar takes generations to attain its full glory and questioned the argument that planting saplings elsewhere could make up for the removal of mature trees.
“A Chinar takes generations to reach its glory yet Omar Abdullah thinks saplings can compensate for felling these centuries old icons of Kashmir. You cannot replace centuries of heritage with a plantation drive!” she wrote.
Drawing a parallel with what she described as an earlier blow to Kashmir’s traditional craftsmanship, Mehbooba also referred to Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Commerce Minister in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, alleging his association with the ban on world-famous Kashmiri Toosh shawls.
“The irony is staggering Omar as Commerce Minister in the BJP led NDA government at the Centre was associated with the ban on world famous Kashmiri Toosh shawls. Now our Chinars face the axe,” she said.
PDP chief further alleged that Kashmir’s cultural and natural heritage was under threat, adding, “First a blow to Kashmir’s woven heritage now a threat to its living heritage. Kashmir is not his to dismantle, one tradition and one tree at a time.”
Her remarks came after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last week said that mature Chinar trees were coming in the way of road-widening work in Ganderbal. Omar had said that attempts to cut down the trees often triggered protests, including from people unfamiliar with the area.
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