Chitralis mourn the fall of historic trees near Royal Fort
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: Two weeks have passed on since the devastating flood in Chitral River has swept away three centuries-old chinartrees flanking the royal fort but the local people still widely bewail the loss of the old trees which they called part and parcel of their heritage.
The social media platforms of the local people is brimming with posts and comments about the loss of the trees which witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasts over the period of two hundred years.
The president of Anjuman-e-Taraqqi Khowar, Shahzada Tanvirul Mulk advocate said that the trees had the status of icons for the whole city and standing at the left corner of the fort, they afforded a panoramic view with Shahi Masjid building in the backdrop.
He said that in the history books of Chitral, one can find a large number of the description of the trees in different context including the events of war between the local rulers and the British forces who annexed Chitral in 1895.
He said that as per law of preservation of archaeological sites, any building or tree attaining the age of 100 years and above is termed as heritage and as such these trees had the status of heritage and the relevant department was duty bound to ensure their preservation.
Dr. Inayatullah Faizi, former project manager of an IUCN project in Chitral, said that the natural age of a chinar tree in Chitral has been estimated at 400 years which is about 700 years in Kashmir while the chinar trees in question had crossed the age of two hundred years.
He said that about half-a-century ago, the chinar trees stood at a distance of 100 feet from the course of river while the river was approaching the trees in the recent years and it went unheeded while last year, the distance had reduced to about 10 to 12 feet.
Syed Harir Shah, the owner of a leading tour operating company based in Chitral, expressed his deep anguish and sorrow over the loss of the historic trees of chinar and said that these were one of the points of attractions for the foreign tourists in Chitral.
He said that the trees offered a magnificent look of the royal fort and attracted the very attention of the tourists when they passed through the Chew Bridge to enter the city and expressed their yearn to visit the spot.
Mr. Shah has demanded of the concerned authorities to preserve the building of royal fort which is the next target of the high flood in Chitral River next year and this will be a big tragedy and irreparable loss for Chitral.
