Hope Growing from the Dry Earth
In the serene hills of Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, behind Jamia Khadim ul Haramain Masjid, rows of young saplings stretch toward the sky. Their roots cling to the rocky soil, silently praying for rain. For months, the region has faced unusual dryness, threatening the survival of these trees — each planted as an act of Sadqah Jaariya, a gift that keeps giving.
When our team from Kashmir Welfare Foundation visited recently, the air was heavy with heat and dust. The masjid courtyard, normally filled with the sound of flowing water, lay still. Yet even in this silence, there was movement — volunteers uncoiling pipes, villagers digging channels, water finally trickling toward the thirsty trees.
To sustain life here, we installed a 75-foot water pipe leading directly to the plantation. It is a small act, but in Kashmir’s fragile mountain ecosystem, small acts save futures.
A Mosque Rooted in Faith and Community
Jamia Khadim ul Haramain Masjid is one of Muzaffarabad’s most admired landmarks — an architectural blend of devotion and simplicity. Its name, honouring the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, symbolises unity between faith and service.
Behind its marble walls, the masjid serves as far more than a place of prayer. It is a community hub where Qur’anic studies, youth education, and women’s learning circles all take place. When worshippers step outside after salah, they now see lines of young trees swaying gently — each one planted in memory of a loved one, each one representing renewal.
🎥 See the plantation site in action:
https://youtu.be/oEMPYGC3NCc?si=UAF-LLdsQ3jdH0q5
Why Kashmir Needs Trees Now
According to the AJ&K Bureau of Statistics 2024, forests cover only 42.6 percent of the region’s total area. Cultivation accounts for barely 13 percent, while water scarcity is worsening — with piped water reaching just 48 percent of urban and 67 percent of rural residents.
Such figures reveal how climate stress, deforestation, and changing rainfall threaten both people and ecosystems. Trees are not ornaments here; they are lifelines. They prevent landslides, secure soil, improve rainfall patterns, and protect agricultural livelihoods for millions.
As the climate crisis deepens, every new tree becomes an act of resistance — a shield for Kashmir’s fragile future.
The Power of Planting as a Legacy
Across the UK, families are now sponsoring trees in memory of parents, grandparents, and friends who have passed away. It’s one of the most profound ways to give back — a living memorial rooted in both faith and sustainability.
In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then birds, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (Sadqah) for him.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Every sapling in Muzaffarabad embodies this hadith. Each one is a silent prayer — a source of oxygen for generations, a refuge for birds, a barrier against erosion, and a continuous stream of reward for those who made it possible.
Impact at a Glance
🌿 1 Million Trees Project – Muzaffarabad 2025
- 200 trees revived through new irrigation system
- 75 ft (23 m) water pipe installed for continuous supply
- 16 percent of AJK’s total population to benefit indirectly through greener urban corridors
- Supports the national target of increasing forest cover and carbon absorption in Northern Pakistan
“We Plant Because We Believe”
“Every drop of water we channel here is an act of mercy,” says Abdul Basit, trustee of Kashmir Welfare Foundation. “These trees will stand long after we are gone. That is the true meaning of Sadqah Jaariya — a legacy that breathes.”
From Derby to Dadyal, Birmingham to Bhimber, UK donors have made this vision real. Their generosity bridges continents, turning remembrance into regeneration.
Join us in greening Kashmir. Sponsor a sapling or a section of irrigation, and let your legacy take root where it matters most.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 1 Million Trees Project
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
The Broader Picture: Climate and Community
Azad Kashmir’s terrain is breathtaking but vulnerable. With steep slopes and heavy monsoon rains, soil erosion is a constant danger. When tree cover declines, landslides follow — destroying homes, farmland, and sometimes entire villages.
Through the Green Kashmir Campaign, our plantation projects do more than beautify landscapes. They stabilise hillsides, filter water, and provide fruit trees that feed local families. This approach merges environmental sustainability with social development, ensuring that communities protect what they plant.
From Dry Valleys to Living Forests
In Neelum Valley, local children now help water saplings after school. In Kotli, women’s groups tend small fruit orchards grown from the first batch of donations. Each of these stories represents transformation — people becoming custodians of creation.
One volunteer put it perfectly:
“We are not just planting trees. We are planting hope, shade, and sustenance for our grandchildren.”
This is how the 1 Million Trees Project is changing both land and lives — creating jobs, restoring dignity, and building environmental awareness that spreads from one village to the next.
How Your Donation Helps
When you donate to the 1 Million Trees Project, your contribution supports:
- Local sapling nurseries employing youth and women
- Installation of irrigation systems in dry zones
- Training villagers to maintain long-term plantation health
- Monitoring and mapping of survival rates to ensure accountability
Every pound planted grows into something larger — a future where Kashmir’s hills stay green, its rivers clear, and its people secure.
Why Give Now
Right now, parts of Azad Kashmir are facing record dryness. Without consistent water and care, thousands of saplings risk withering. Tonight, a single stream of water can mean the survival of a living legacy.
Let your compassion flow into the soil of Kashmir. Help transform barren land into breathing life.
UK Gift Aid Reminder
If you’re a UK taxpayer, please tick the Gift Aid box when donating. It increases your contribution by 25 percent at no extra cost — meaning your £20 instantly becomes £25 of mercy for the planet and its people.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the 1 Million Trees Project work?
We plant indigenous trees across Azad Kashmir through community partnerships, monitor their growth, and maintain irrigation to ensure survival for long-term environmental recovery.
2. Can I dedicate trees to loved ones?
Yes. Many donors plant in memory of family or friends as Sadqah Jaariya — a continuous charity that benefits people and nature for generations.
3. Where are current plantations located?
Current sites include Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Kotli, and Dadyal, focusing on mosques, schools, and community lands vulnerable to erosion.
4. How do trees support local communities?
They prevent soil loss, provide fruit or shade, improve water retention, and create seasonal employment for nursery workers and caretakers.
5. Can I visit the plantation sites?
Yes. Donors and volunteers are welcome to visit during scheduled field visits to see how their generosity is reshaping Kashmir’s landscape.
The earth is waiting for our mercy. Let your love for Kashmir grow deep roots. Together, we can build a future where faith and sustainability thrive side by side.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 1 Million Trees Project
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
💷 Gift Aid adds 25% extra at no cost to you.
