BHADERWAH, Sep 21: The largest and possibly oldest Cedar tree in the world, according to forest officials, was discovered in Chanti Bala in the Bhalessa forest area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda region. It has a 54-foot trunk and a 35-foot breast diameter. The Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI) members urged that the location be added to a tourism map, while the officials wanted the Cedar tree’s position to be listed as a heritage site. The gigantic tree, which is thought to be centuries old and is situated on the eastern hill of Gandoh tehsil’s Chanti-Bala Panchayat, 124 km from Doda town, has religious importance for followers of the Nag and has been revered by the community for ages.Because of its enormous size, the tree, which was surrounded by a dense coniferous forest, was clearly different and was discovered by the field workers, Divisional Forest Officer Bhaderwah Chander Shekhar said at the site. The Deodar, commonly known as a cedar, has a trunk diameter of 54 feet and a breast size of 35 feet, according to the scientific method for estimating a tree’s size. This is the largest tree of this kind (Cedrus Deodara) in the world, and based on our research and the data we have gathered, it also appears to be the oldest,” he said. Shekhar stated that the Forest Survey of India would be consulted by the government to determine the exact age of the object.According to the forest official, “we have adopted the procedure so that this will be declared as a heritage site for its unique size,” adding that “once the tree is declared heritage, people from all over the world will start visiting here to see this unique tree that gives off a nostalgic feeling due to its size.” According to Sarpanch Chanti Bala Sansar Chand, the tree has been revered for 12 generations. No one dared to harm the tree after that, according to what our ancestors taught us, because blood and a milky fluid began to ooze out of the tree when someone tried to cut its branches, he claimed.The sarpanch remarked that they are fortunate to have this tree since it will give them a sense of belonging in this remote location and change their fortunes if travellers begin to visit. Residents of the panchayat and surrounding areas, led by PRI members such as Abbas Rather, chairman of the block development council, and Changa Nadeem Sharief Niaz, a member of the district development council, have urged the government to formally recognise the tree as the largest cedar tree in the world and to take the necessary measures to put it on the tourist map. Niaz approved Rs 10 lakhs for the lighting and renovation of the area around the tree so that people can appreciate its beauty.This tree, of course, helps us draw tourists to this region of Jammu and Kashmir, which would otherwise be among the most underdeveloped. As public representatives, we shall make every effort to show the world the beauty of this special natural resource. We anticipate prompt action from the government, particularly the forest department, he said. (Agencies)
