Srinagar, July 5: The sudden drying of several conifer trees along the Jhelum Riverfront at Rajbagh has sparked concern among residents, visitors, and environmentalists, with many alleging that excavation carried out during the Srinagar Smart City riverfront development project may have damaged the trees’ root systems.Several trees now display dry branches and withering trunks, raising fears over the future of the centuries-old green cover that has long protected the Jhelum banks from erosion while enhancing the beauty of the riverfront.Locals living near Rajbagh said the trees remained healthy for decades before construction work began under the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project. They believe heavy excavation and extensive concreting around the trees disrupted the natural soil environment and weakened their roots.”Deep digging close to mature trees appears to have damaged their roots, causing gradual decay,” said a local resident. Another resident said the trees began deteriorating only a few months after large-scale construction started, describing the timing as “too significant to ignore.”Residents have urged authorities to conduct a scientific assessment to determine whether excavation and construction activities are responsible for the tree decay. They warned that if root damage is confirmed, more trees along the riverfront could face a similar fate in the coming years.Some locals also raised concerns that the trees may have been intentionally damaged to facilitate future development or commercial activities. However, no evidence has surfaced to support these claims.Environmental observers noted that excavation near mature trees can sever major roots, reducing their ability to absorb water and nutrients, though they stressed that only an expert inspection can establish the exact cause.Responding to the concerns, SSCL CEO and SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb said the matter would be examined.”I will look into it,” he said.
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