Preserve decades old Chinar trees at Kheer Bhawani: Shastri

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 19: Chairman Pt. Prem Nath Shastri Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan, Pt. Omkar Nath Shastri has demanded preservation of the chinars at holy shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani Tulmulla. In a statement issued here today he said the decades’ old Chinar trees at the holy shrine are adding to flora and fauna in the area and pilgrims coming to Kheer Bhawani during annual pilgrimage on Jesht Ashtami and other monthly Ashtamis were taking refugee under the shade of these chinars in the Summer heat. These chinars cover the entire shrine there by adding to its natural beauty further, he added. He said the Chinar in the premises of the holy shrine have become dry and are on the verge of extinction if immediate steps are not taken to preserve them. Shastri Ji in an appeal to Dr Karan Singh the sole trustee of Dharmarth Trust has urged him to look into the matter and save the pristine glory of Tulmulla. Shastri Ji also stressed on development of shrine premises by constructing more quarters on the empty land to accommodate increasing rush of pilgrims during annual yatra. He expressed concern over felling of one Chinar in the shrine premises and said that Dharmarth Trust should take the cognizance of the same. He demanded the services of experts as well as environmentalists be utilized for the purpose if need be.