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‘One Million Trees for Pir Panjal’ initiative launched in Kashmir

  • RK Online Desk By RK Online Desk
  • Comments 0
  • 02 Apr 2026

Srinagar, Apr 02: In a landmark step towards ecological restoration and climate resilience in the Western Himalayas, the ‘One Million Trees for Pir Panjal’ initiative was formally inaugurated with remarkable enthusiasm, unity, and a renewed sense of environmental responsibility.

Led by the School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE), in collaboration with the Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA) and supported by the Forest Department, Jammu & Kashmir, the campaign represents far more than a plantation drive - it is a transformative people’s movement dedicated to healing the fragile ecosystems of the Pir Panjal range.

In a statement issued here, the initiative was officially launched by renowned climate justice activist and founder of SRDE, Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, in the presence of distinguished civil society leaders, forest officials, academicians, and international representatives, including IHRO SAARC Director Ms Roshni Bhattarai.

The event witnessed vibrant participation from students and scholars of the faculty of forestry at SKUAST-K, alongside educators, youth groups, women’s collectives, and local communities - collectively reflecting a powerful and shared commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action.

Marking the beginning of its first phase, a large-scale plantation drive was simultaneously launched in the Shukhnag Forest Range of Pir Panjal Division Budgam. This milestone event signals the operationalization of an ambitious vision to plant one million trees across the Pir Panjal landscape. The drive is being implemented through a collaborative framework involving SRDE, NCA, the Tosamaidan Bachav Front (TBF), and the Shukhnag Conservation and Development Foundation (SCDF), with strong institutional support from the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool underscored the deeper philosophy behind the initiative. “This is not merely about planting trees but it is about healing our mountains. The forests of Pir Panjal sustain our water systems, glacier ecology, biodiversity, and climate resilience. To protect them is to secure the future of Jammu & Kashmir, a future that is safe, sustainable, and green.”

In her address, Ms Abiza Maqbool, Youth Coordinator at NCA and a forestry professional, passionately called upon the youth to take ownership of the movement, emphasizing that the future of Kashmir’s ecological security rests in their hands.

Officials from the Forest Department were present at the plantation site, extending technical expertise, providing saplings, and ensuring scientific planting methods to enhance survival rates. The range officer of Sukhnag Range appreciated the initiative and apprised participants of ongoing forestry schemes.

SRDE and NCA team extend gratitude to the Forest department for the support especially to DFO Pir Panjal Syed Waseem and CCF Kashmir Irfan Rasool.

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