Oaks (botanically, species of Quercus) perhaps present one of the most vexing problems among the anomalies of the floral elements of the Kashmir Valley. They are almost absent from the present-day natural flora of the valley. However, mega-fossil evidence from multiple Karewa locations has revealed their significant presence in the valley during the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods.
Palynological studies from the Karewa deposits have further confirmed these observations, showing a dominant presence of oak pollen. Of particular interest is the evidence of oaks in pollen analyses from comparatively more recent post-glacial deposits and certain bogs within the valley.
Charcoal remains of at least two oak species have been identified from archaeological sites at Burzahom (Neolithic phase) and Semthan (Pre-NBP phase), which is highly significant, as it places the existence of oaks in Kashmir in a much more recent period. Although the exact species could not be identified, the charcoals certainly do not belong to the exotic European oak (Quercus robur), which has been planted in the valley in recent years. In all probability, these charcoals belong to indigenous oak species.
Although some stray patches of Quercus dilatata and Quercus semicarpifolia do occur in present-day valley forests, their past dominance was such that it led some researchers to infer subtropical climatic conditions in the valley during the Pliocene–Pleistocene period.
The dominance of oaks in the valley during the Pliocene and Pleistocene and their near absence today has largely been attributed to the uplift of the mountain barrier—the Pir Panjal—which flanks the valley to the south and southwest. This uplift is believed to have acted as an effective barrier, preventing the monsoon from entering the valley and resulting in extremely low precipitation. However, the presence of oaks in post-glacial and archaeological deposits does not fully support this seemingly plausible hypothesis. There is no evidence to suggest that the mountain barrier subsided substantially during the post-glacial period, thereby allowing monsoon systems to enter the valley and create favourable climatic conditions for oaks.
Furthermore, the climatic requirements of some oak species distributed across the western Himalayas show a wide range of tolerance, suggesting that reduced precipitation alone could not have been detrimental enough to cause their near extinction in the valley. Clearly, other factors must also have been involved—factors that only further research can decipher.
Former Forest Services officer Mr Manzoor Tak has noted that the European oak (Quercus robur), introduced in the early twentieth century, has grown well in the valley, as evidenced by its presence in the Chitarnar forest and a small patch in Dachigam. Isolated European oak trees are also found growing as ornamental plants.
The writer is a former Chairman Public Service Commission, J&K
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