The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s powerful statement at the inauguration of Van Mahotsav 2025, where he stressed that “development must be judicious; for every tree uprooted, a hundred must be planted.” The Chief Minister's remarks, delivered in the presence of senior officials and civil society members, highlighted the urgent need to balance infrastructure development with ecological preservation and intergenerational responsibility.
EPG considers this message especially timely as Srinagar’s fragile environment faces increasing threats, particularly from the proposed flyover project linking MA Link Road to Rajbagh. The planned construction would cut through the historic Polo Ground, one of the last major green spaces in central Srinagar, and require the felling of numerous centuries-old chinar trees—a species deeply woven into Kashmir’s ecological and cultural identity.
“The chinar is not just a tree—it is a symbol of Kashmir’s soul. Its loss is a loss to our identity, our biodiversity, and our environmental resilience,” the EPG stated.
Beyond the environmental impact, the proposed project poses a social cost. Polo Ground has long served as a vital recreational hub for youth, hosting sporting events and community activities. At a time when Kashmir’s youth face rising mental health challenges and substance abuse, preserving such open, inclusive spaces is critical for public well-being.
EPG also raised concerns about the urban flooding risks posed by increasing concretization. Srinagar already struggles with waterlogging and inadequate drainage during rains. Replacing green areas with impermeable surfaces will only exacerbate flood frequency and severity, as seen in other urban centres across India.
While acknowledging the need for improved urban mobility, EPG urged the government to explore sustainable alternatives that avoid the destruction of ecological and cultural assets. One such proposal includes repurposing Zero Bridge as a motorable crossing to ease traffic without harming green infrastructure.
The group was particularly dismayed by the recent trend of concretizing the trunks of chinar trees with boundary walls and granite tiles, a practice it called both harmful and ironic—strangling the very trees meant to be protected.
EPG applauded the Chief Minister’s pledge but emphasized that intent must translate into action on the ground.
“Development must not come at the cost of nature. As the CM rightly said, for every tree lost, a hundred must be planted—not just in files and reports, but in real soil.”
The Environmental Policy Group called for a transparent review of the flyover proposal, including a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public consultation. Preserving Srinagar’s green spaces, it stressed, is not just about heritage—it is an investment in public health, youth development, and climate resilience.