Srinagar, Oct 19: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in Kashmir, saying newly planted saplings cannot compensate for the loss of the region’s historical and cultural heritage.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said Chinar trees take generations to attain their full glory and argued that centuries of heritage cannot be replaced through plantation drives.
She also targeted Omar Abdullah over his association with the ban on Kashmiri Toosh shawls during his tenure as Commerce Minister in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
“First a blow to Kashmir’s woven heritage now a threat to its living heritage,” Mehbooba said, alleging that the felling of Chinar trees posed a threat to Kashmir’s cultural identity.
“Kashmir is not his to dismantle, one tradition and one tree at a time,” she added.
Mehbooba’s remarks came amid concerns over the preservation of Kashmir’s centuries-old Chinar trees, which hold historical, cultural and environmental significance in the region.
