38k indigenous trees planted in Kargil

Kargil, May 04: In a remarkable display of environmental action and community participation, the One Lakh Mega Plantation Drive 2025 reached its 5th phase with the planting of 38,000 indigenous trees in Damsna, Tai Suru.
The initiative, led by Jamiyat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil (JUIAK) in partnership with the Al-Himalaya Green Mission & Research Centre, aims to plant one lakh native trees across the region.
The plantation included 30,000 Willow and 8,000 Seabuckthorn trees—all in a single day—highlighting the scale and urgency of the ecological effort.
Member of Parliament for Ladakh, Haji Hanifa Jan, who attended as Chief Guest, called the campaign “a historic and unprecedented step” for the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. “This drive reflects a deep sense of environmental responsibility. Planting one lakh indigenous trees is a powerful step toward mitigating climate change and restoring ecological balance,” he stated.
MP Hanifa also hailed Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi, President of JUIAK, as a visionary, pledging full support and advocating for the drive to become an annual tradition.
Expressing his gratitude, Sheikh Nazir Mehdi thanked key religious and social organizations for their support, along with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Dr. B.D. Mishra, and Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Shrikant Suse, for their administrative cooperation. “As climate change threatens Ladakh’s unique ecology, such initiatives are not just necessary—they are urgent,” he said.
Syed Abass Razvi lauded the initiative as a defining moment in Kargil’s environmental journey, commending the leadership of Sheikh Nazir and emphasizing the long-term vision for sustainability. He added that the Al-Himalaya Green Mission & Research Centre would continue to monitor and support the drive to ensure its ecological impact.
Thousands of volunteers, students, and local residents participated in the plantation, joined by dignitaries including DFO Mohd Ali, religious scholars, councillors, and community leaders. The event showcased a powerful fusion of faith, civic duty, and environmental stewardship—placing Kargil at the forefront of grassroots green reform in the Himalayas.