Srinagar, March 30: A significant environmental initiative aimed at ecological restoration and enhancing climate resilience across the Pir Panjal range in the Western Himalayas has been formally launched. The “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” campaign is envisioned as a widespread people’s movement dedicated to revitalizing the region’s sensitive ecosystems.
Movement Launched with Enthusiasm
The initiative was inaugurated by Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool, Founder of the School for Rural Development and Environment (SRDE) and a noted climate justice activist. The launch event saw the participation of civil society leaders, forest department officials, academicians, and international representatives, underscoring a collective commitment to environmental stewardship. Students and scholars from the Faculty of Forestry at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), along with various youth groups, women’s collectives, and local communities, also joined the proceedings, signaling broad-based support for the environmental cause.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the campaign is a collaborative effort led by SRDE, in partnership with the Nature Conservancy Alliance (NCA), and receives support from the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department. This undertaking extends beyond a conventional tree-planting drive, aiming to foster a profound sense of environmental responsibility and action among the populace.
First Phase Plantation Drive Underway
The inaugural phase of the “One Million Trees for Pir Panjal” initiative commenced with a large-scale plantation drive. This drive was simultaneously initiated in the Shukhnag Forest Range, located within the Pir Panjal Division of Budgam district. This action marks the commencement of the operational phase of the ambitious project, which aims to plant a total of one million trees throughout the Pir Panjal landscape.
The Pir Panjal range is a critical mountainous sub-range of the Himalayas, known for its rich biodiversity and its role in regulating regional climate patterns. The region faces ongoing environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and the impacts of climate change, making such restoration efforts vital for its long-term ecological health and the well-being of its communities.
The organizers emphasized that the success of the initiative hinges on the active participation of local communities and stakeholders. By involving people directly in the restoration process, the campaign seeks to create a lasting impact and foster a sense of ownership and pride in the environmental heritage of the region. The involvement of educational institutions and youth groups is intended to instill environmental consciousness from an early age, ensuring a sustainable approach to conservation.
Further phases of the plantation drive are expected to be rolled out across different forest ranges within the Pir Panjal area. The initiative is designed to address specific ecological needs of the terrain while also contributing to carbon sequestration and the overall improvement of the forest cover. The Forest Department’s support is crucial for providing technical expertise and facilitating the logistical aspects of the large-scale plantation activities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk