Srinagar's Amar Singh College Faces Backlash For Axing 234 Poplars
Majid Nabi
Srinagar: The iconic ‘Poplar Avenue’ in the 111-yearsold Amar Singh College in Srinagar is no more as 234 standing poplar trees were chopped down by the college administration, sparking outrage among the netizens and students alike.
Infuriated by the vandalizing green tunnel of poplar trees at Amar Singh College days before the World Arbor Day, many students threatened to move to the court against what was termed as an irresponsible act. However, the college administration deafened the move, saying the trees had grown old, posing threat to life and property.
On social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, images of fallen poplar trees incited indignation among users, especially students, who largely blamed the college administration for seriously damaging the poplar avenue.
Terming the axing of hundreds of poplar trees within the college campus as unfortunate and arbitrary, experts said the ancient stone-and-brick building, designed in the Indo-British architectural style, was given a unique character by these poplar trees.
Approximately 182 poplar trees, which have reached to their maximum height, they claimed, were planted to create an avenue at the principal front of the building, facing onto a street.
State Convener of the INTACH Kashmir Chapter Mohammad Saleem Beigh expressed his disappointment over the images and videos of the fallen poplar trees surfaced on social media sites.
“I was shocked to see the very healthy trees chopped down. Poplar trees are a part of the cultural fabric that encompasses the entire area including the college building. In what sense, therefore, is it legitimate to do away with a single component? questioned Beigh.
Principal Amar Singh College Professor Sheikh Aijaz Bashir defended the move, saying the trees that were hacked down had grown old, posing a serious threat to life.
“As soon as I joined the institution, I was informed about this matter. The Forest
Development Corporation was awarded the contract to chop poplar trees. Since there had been several reports of poplar tree falls at the campus, I immediately contacted the Social Forestry Department about the problem,” Prof. Aijaz told Kashmir Observer.
One of the trees, he said, had fallen on a house adjacent to the nursing home that snowballed into a major issue later while similar incidents were reported at the college from time to time.
“Since 4000 students enter the institution through the main entrance, they were also dealing with this problem, which was somewhat concerning. The Social Forestry Department evaluated the trees, and the State Forest Corporation then placed them up for auction through a proper tendering,” he added.
However, many active students and alumni’s taking to the social media platforms criticized the college administration, terming the move as arbitrary.
“The so-called ‘development administration’ has cold-heartedly butchered the aesthetics of Amar Singh College, my beloved alma mater, by mercilessly axing the picturesque poplar tree tunnel. My heart sinks seeing images of what was once a serene haven, where I cherished my college days, now ruthlessly stripped of its greenery. The shameless destruction of our beautiful landscapes is unforgivable,” Junaid Dar, a former student who works as a journalist, wrote on X.
Nazir Ganaie, another alumni wrote “In a bizarre move, authorities have chopped down a beautiful green tunnel of poplars, symbolic to our Alma mater, #AmarSinghCollege#, Srinagar. A part of our heritage is gone. An emotion lost. History erased. People behind this manmade disaster should hang their heads in shame”
Meanwhile the alumni of Amar Singh College, in a statement expressed deep sense of concern regarding the chopping of poplar trees.
“As cherished part of our cultural heritage, these trees represent not only the natural beauty of this historic college but the collective history of thousands of students who have walked in through its gates,” the statement reads.
The alumni demand high level inquiry be initiated to ascertain whether adequate thought was given to the course of actions and what alternatives were considered.
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