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| Central Asian plant influence Kashmir |
Kashmir’s landscape is often read through its chinars, willows and poplars. Yet, standing quietly in a few old gardens and institutional compounds is a tree whose story stretches back more than 200 million years and thousands of kilometres — Ginkgo biloba.
Often called a “living fossil,” ginkgo is native to China. Its presence in Kashmir is not accidental, nor recent. It is deeply tied to the region’s historic role as a crossroads of civilisations along the Silk Route, connecting China with Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
A Tree That Traveled with Ideas
Ginkgo survived in China largely because it was protected by Buddhist monasteries, valued for both its medicinal properties and symbolic significance. As Buddhism spread beyond China, monks carried not only scriptures but also medicinal plants and seeds. Along with traders and caravans, these biological travellers moved westward through Xinjiang and Central Asia, eventually reaching Kashmir.
For centuries, Kashmir served as a gateway between Central Asia and South Asia. Goods, people, and knowledge passed through its mountain corridors. Plants such as walnut, apricot, poplar and saffron are known to have arrived through these routes. Ginkgo fits naturally into this historical pattern.
Climate as a Silent Ally
Kashmir’s temperate climate made the valley a natural refuge for ginkgo. The tree tolerates extreme cold, resists disease and pollution, and lives for centuries. These qualities allowed it to survive even as landscapes and political regimes changed.
Unlike commercial crops, ginkgo remained marginal — planted in select locations rather than fields. This limited spread explains why it is rare, yet persistent, in Kashmir.
Forgotten Heritage, Living Evidence
Today, ginkgo trees in Kashmir are often overlooked. Many residents are unaware of their medicinal importance or their role as living evidence of Kashmir’s place in global history. In an era when heritage conservation focuses mainly on monuments, these trees remind us that botanical heritage is equally political and cultural.
The ginkgo’s journey tells a larger story: Kashmir was never isolated. It was — and remains — part of a wider Asian continuum of trade, medicine and knowledge exchange.
Why It Matters Now
As climate change and unplanned urbanisation threaten Kashmir’s ecology, rediscovering such species offers both scientific and cultural value. Ginkgo is resilient, medicinally significant, and symbolic of sustainable coexistence with nature.
Preserving it is not just about saving a tree — it is about reclaiming Kashmir’s identity as a historic bridge between worlds.
