Authorities in Indian Kashmir are geo-tagging thousands of 'Chinar' trees to create a comprehensive database for their management and help conserve them amid threats from rising urbanisation, road-widening projects and diseases.

Chinar trees, known for their towering height of up to 30 meters and girth of up to 15 meters, take approximately 150 years to reach full maturity. The oldest known Chinar tree, located near Srinagar, is estimated to be around 650 years old.

Kashmir's iconic Chinar trees are undergoing a digital transformation through the 'Digital Tree Aadhaar' initiative, which uses QR codes and GIS technology to monitor their health and location. This project aims to conserve these cultural symbols facing threats from urbanization and climate change.