Member of Parliament for Ladakh, Haji Haneefa Jan, attended the official launch ceremony of the Al Hima-laya Green Mission and Research Institute at Damsna, marking a significant milestone in the region’s largest environmental campaign aimed at planting one lakh saplings in partnership with the UT Ladakh Administration.

The event marked the fifth phase of the plantation drive, with 40,000 saplings planted across the picturesque Damsna valley. The initiative continues its stride toward its ambitious goal of rejuvenating Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem through large-scale afforestation.

In his address, MP Haji Haneefa Jan congratulated Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Muhammadi, co-founder of the Green Mission, for his visionary leadership and practical commitment. “While many NGOs speak of plantation, only a few act. This initiative is not just for one community but for all humanity,” the MP said. He pledged his full support to efforts that benefit the planet and future generations. “For missions like this, we should not take just one, but ten steps forward,” he emphasized.

Sheikh Nazir, in his keynote, outlined the multi-phase structure of the mission and expressed deep gratitude to volunteers and community members. Drawing from religious wisdom, he quoted the Holy Quran and Imam Ali (a.s.): “Plant a tree, even if the Day of Judgment is about to rise,” underscoring the spiritual importance of environmental stewardship.

He also raised concerns over unchecked activities like deforestation, mining, and pollution, warning that these are accelerating glacial melt in the Himalayas. The mission, he noted, is not just about planting trees, but about fostering an ecological mindset. “Taharat (purity) is not only a personal virtue but also a duty towards Earth,” he said, calling on religious scholars to advocate for environmental responsibility.

One of the mission’s novel ideas was the introduction of the “Green Engineer” concept—encouraging youth to engage with environmental science and sustainable technologies. “Even planting a single tree at home can lead to meaningful change,” Sheikh Nazir concluded, urging every citizen to take action in safeguarding the land.

The event witnessed active participation from local leaders, youth, and environmental volunteers, further amplifying the region’s growing commitment to ecological restoration and sustainable living.