Chinar Tree
24.01.2025
Chinar Tree
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For Prelims: About Chinar Tree, Geotagging of Chinar |
Why in the news?
The iconic Chinar trees in Kashmir have been geo-tagged and equipped with QR-code for digital protection of the Valley’s heritage tree.
About Chinar Tree:
- Scientific name: Platanus orientalis
- It is also known as Oriental plane tree, maple tree and locally it is called Boueen, named after the Hindu goddess Bhavani.
- It is the State tree of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is a large, well spreading deciduous tree growing up to a height of 30 meters and girth of 10 to 15 meters at ground level.
- It takes around 30 to 50 years for the trees to reach their mature height and around 150 years for them to grow to their full size.
- It is the only species of the Platanaceae family found in India and grows throughout the Kashmir valley.
- The tree's leaves change colors with the seasons, transforming from deep green in summer to vibrant shades of red, amber, and yellow in autumn.
- Uses: The tree has several properties - leaves and bark are used as medicine, the wood, known as lace wood, is used for delicate interior furniture and the twigs & roots are used for making dyes.
Geotagging of Chinar:
- Under the geo-tagging process, QR codes are attached to each surveyed tree, recording information about 25 characteristics, including its geographical location, health, age and growing patterns, enabling conservationists to track changes and address risk factors.
- The project, spearheaded by J&K Forest Research Institute (FRI) of J&K Forest Department involves geo-tagging and QR coding of Chinar trees to enable their monitoring and management.
- The geotagging of the majestic Chinars have proved that these trees are much older than what were claimed to be 700 years old. Some are more than 1000 years old.
Source: The New Indian Express
With reference to Chinar tree, consider the following:
1. It changes its leaves color with the seasons.
2. Its twigs and roots are used for making dyes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Answer C