Srinagar, Sept. 24 -- The census by J&K Forest Research Institute (FRI) has identified more than 30,000 Chinar trees across the Kashmir Valley, the government informed the assembly during the ongoing session. The figure comes amid concerns over the dwindling population of the iconic species across the valley due to construction, developmental projects and urbanisation.

The trees have been surveyed across all the districts of the Valley, except security forces camps and installations.

Responding to a question by Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the department of forests, ecology and environment listed measures being taken to preserve the species.

"JKFRI has undertaken a survey-based census of Chinar trees in Kashmir, under which arou...