In a major conservation push, Jammu and Kashmir has successfully completed the digital mapping and geo-tagging of approximately 30,000 Chinar trees (Platanus orientalis) across the region.

Known locally as Boueen, these centuries-old majestic trees form an integral part of Kashmir’s cultural identity and natural ecosystem.

Conducted by the J&K Forest Research Institute, the initiative maps each tree’s precise GPS coordinates, age, height, trunk girth, and health parameters into a centralized digital registry.

Prominent trees have also been fitted with QR-code-enabled metal tags, allowing authorities and visitors to instantly access their ecological data.

This digital monitoring system aims to combat illegal felling, urbanization encroachment, and disease, reinforcing legal safeguards under the J&K Chinar Preservation Act.

By creating a transparent, real-time tracking database, the administration ensures the strict protection of these living heritage monuments for future generations.