Archive · 23 Sep 2026
650-Year-Old Chinar Tree in Budgam Among Asia’s Oldest
A very old Chinar tree grows in Chattergam in Budgam.
Officials say it is about 650 years old.
They also say it is one of the oldest Chinar trees in Asia.
Some of its old branches have fallen, but the rest of the tree is still green.
A fence was built around its roots to protect them from damage and heavy vehicles.
People are not allowed to cut, carve, nail, or attach signs to the tree without permission.
Chinar trees are important symbols of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials are counting and digitally mapping Chinar trees to help protect them.
The trees face threats from age, illness, construction, illegal cutting and climate change.
A Chinar tree in Chattergam, Budgam, is estimated to be 650 years old.
The Jammu and Kashmir government told the Assembly that it is among Asia’s oldest Chinar trees.
Older and dried branches have fallen naturally, but the remaining portion is still green.
An iron fence protects the tree’s roots and restricts vehicles around it.
Officials cite ageing, disease, pests, development, shrinking land, population growth, urbanisation, illegal logging and climate change as threats to Chinars.
- Who
- The Jammu and Kashmir Forest, Ecology and Environment Department informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in response to a question from Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.
- What
- Officials reported that a 650-year-old Chinar tree in Chattergam is among Asia’s oldest of its species and described measures to protect it.
- When
- The information was provided to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday.
- Where
- The tree is located at Chattergam in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Protection measures are being taken because the tree is a heritage tree and Chinars face threats including natural ageing, disease, development, illegal logging and climate change.
- Estimated age
- About 650 years
- Location
- Chattergam, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir
- Species
- Chinar, or Platanus orientalis
- Protection
- An iron fence surrounds the critical root zone and restricts vehicular movement
- Restrictions
- Cutting branches, hammering nails, attaching signboards, carving bark and damaging roots are prohibited without applicable permission
- Tree size
- A Chinar can grow up to 30 metres tall and takes about 150 years to reach full size
- Government initiative
- Jammu and Kashmir is conducting a census and geo-tagging tens of thousands of Chinar trees
- Main threats
- Ageing, diseases, pests, development, shrinking land, population growth, urbanisation, illegal logging and climate change