A major environmental initiative saw the successful plantation of over 500 saplings of indigenous tree species at Government Degree College (GDC) Zanskar on May 26. The drive was spearheaded by Anjuman-e-Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil under its green initiative, Al Hima-Laya Green Mission and Research Centre.

Chief Guest Phuntsok Tashi commended the organisation for its leadership in environmental stewardship and praised its continued efforts in promoting social welfare, interfaith harmony, and communal unity. He expressed hope that such impactful initiatives would be extended to other areas of Zanskar.
Liyaqat Hussain, Coordinator of Al Hima-Laya, briefed attendees on the broader vision of the “One Lakh Mega Plantation” campaign, outlining its phased implementation across Kargil district.

President of the Zanskar Buddhist Association, Pasang Lawang, also addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the organisers for bringing a large-scale afforestation effort to a remote region like Zanskar.

College Principal Mohd Ishaq thanked the team for selecting GDC Zanskar as a plantation site. He stressed the urgency of ecological restoration in the face of increasing environmental degradation, calling tree plantation "the need of the hour."

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalili acknowledged the support of all stakeholders and volunteers, announcing that the campaign had already exceeded its initial target, with over 1.25 lakh saplings planted across the district—marking a significant milestone in the region’s environmental journey.