Chamba's environmentalist promotes Chinar trees for tourism

Navneet Chowfla, an environmentalist from Chamba, is promoting Chinar tree plantations to boost local tourism. He has planted over 200 saplings since 2019, with 83 reportedly thriving. However, local officials argue that Chinar trees are not native to the area. The Chamba administration acknowledges Chowfla's efforts but states there is no official plan for Chinar plantations. The Divisional Forest Officer noted that while Chinar trees can be planted, they require more care than native trees like Deodar. Chowfla believes that the Chinar's beauty, especially in autumn, could attract tourists. Despite his enthusiasm, he faces challenges, including funding and the extensive care needed for the trees.