When we think of Azad Kashmir, the first images that come to mind are our snow-capped mountains, flowing rivers, trees and lush green valleys. But in recent years, much of this beauty has been under threat.
Forests that once covered our hillsides are disappearing at an alarming rate. In just a few decades, our forest cover has dropped to dangerously low levels. This loss doesn’t just scar the land — it brings floods, landslides, poor soil, and a warmer climate that threatens our very way of life.
Yet, there is still hope. With every tree we plant, we begin to heal our land, protect our communities, and preserve the breathtaking beauty that makes Kashmir unique. The Green Kashmir Campaign led by the Kashmir Welfare Foundation is dedicated to restoring this balance — and every donation, every sapling, and every act of care counts.
Why Trees Matter So Much
Trees are not just decoration for our valleys. They are life itself. When we cut them down, we don’t only lose greenery, we lose protection, stability, and oxygen — the very essentials that keep our ecosystem alive.
They protect our homes from floods and landslides.
Tree roots hold soil together, preventing erosion. When the rains come, roots absorb and slow down the flow of water, reducing the chance of flash floods — a growing problem in the hills of Azad Kashmir.
They clean the air we breathe.
Our forests act as natural air filters, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. As global warming increases, these trees help reduce carbon levels and cool the air, especially vital in the face of rising temperatures across Pakistan and Kashmir.
They bring back wildlife.
From birds to bees, forests provide a home for countless species that keep our environment balanced. Reforesting Kashmir means restoring the natural cycles that have kept our valleys fertile for centuries.
They make villages cooler and more liveable.
Shade, fruit, and fresh air — the simple blessings trees offer cannot be replaced by concrete. In areas like Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Neelum Valley, the loss of tree cover has already made summers hotter and drier.
Every tree planted today is a gift to the next generation. Imagine a child playing under the shade of a walnut tree you planted, or a hillside standing firm in heavy rain because of the roots you nurtured. That is the legacy we leave behind.
The Crisis We Can’t Ignore
Deforestation in Azad Kashmir has reached a critical point. Illegal logging, urban expansion, and the pressure of fuel wood collection have left entire hillsides barren. The impact is now visible in every corner — landslides cutting off roads, flash floods damaging crops, and springs drying up earlier each year.
In regions like Leepa and Rawalakot, farmers who once depended on predictable weather now face either drought or destructive rain. Without tree cover, the soil can’t hold water, and our rivers overflow in chaos rather than feeding our crops in peace. This is the frontline of climate change in Kashmir, and it demands immediate action.
The Green Kashmir Campaign
The Kashmir Welfare Foundation has taken on an ambitious mission — to plant one million trees in Azad Kashmir over the next five years through its Green Kashmir Campaign and the 1 Million Trees Project.
This is not just about planting saplings. It’s about restoring balance. Our goal is to rebuild ecosystems, reduce flooding, support biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods for local communities through eco-friendly jobs.
The first phase began at Jamia Khadim Ul Haramain Masjid and Eidgah in Muzaffarabad, where the Foundation launched its early plantation efforts. Since then, our teams have planted thousands of trees across schools, mosques, and community lands — with the help of local volunteers, students, and UK donors whose compassion has kept this mission alive.
Every donation helps plant, protect, and sustain these trees. A £10 contribution can cover a set of native saplings and help maintain them through their critical first year of growth. It’s not just charity; it’s environmental Sadaqah Jariyah — a reward that keeps giving, year after year.
Donate to the 1 Million Trees Campaign and lets make a difference together
How You Can Start Planting Trees in Your Community
Even if you are not part of a large campaign, you can start small. Change begins at home, and Azad Kashmir’s future depends on the hands of ordinary people taking extraordinary action.
Choose Native Trees
Focus on species that belong to Kashmir’s natural ecosystem: Kail (blue pine), Deodar, Walnut, and Chinar. These trees thrive in local soil and weather conditions, require less water, and offer long-term benefits.
Pick the Right Spot
- Empty plots near your home.
- Hillsides prone to erosion.
- School grounds, mosques, and graveyards (with community permission).
Planting Steps
- Dig a hole deep enough for the roots (around two feet).
- Add compost or natural fertiliser.
- Place the sapling upright, cover with soil, and press firmly.
- Water generously after planting.
Care for the Sapling
Water regularly, especially during the first year. Protect the plant from grazing animals with simple fencing or thorny branches. Think of it as a living responsibility — check on it once a week and encourage others to do the same.
Building a Movement Across Kashmir
One tree is good. Hundreds can transform a valley. To make this change lasting, it must be communal — a movement of hearts and hands united for the land we love.
Tree Guardians: Each family can take responsibility for two or three saplings near their home.
Community Planting Days: Villages can organise plantation drives during spring and monsoon seasons.
Schools and Mosques: Involve children and worshippers — when they plant trees, they learn to protect creation.
Celebrate Milestones: When saplings grow tall enough to provide shade, mark it with a small event. Make tree care a source of local pride.
Giving Back to the Land of Their Roots
For many British Pakistanis and members of the Kashmiri diaspora, donating to reforestation projects is deeply personal. As one UK donor, Mrs. Noreen from Birmingham, shared:
“My parents were born in Bagh. I remember visiting the hills as a child and seeing them full of pine trees. When I went back years later, it was bare. Donating to Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s Green Kashmir Campaign makes me feel like I’m helping rebuild the beauty my parents once knew.”
For the diaspora, this is more than an environmental project — it is an act of love. Planting a tree back home reconnects them to their heritage and leaves a living mark of their generosity. Each donation becomes a bond between generations and continents.
A Personal Commitment to the Earth
The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but the solution often starts with small, meaningful actions. If every household in Azad Kashmir planted just two trees a year, within a decade, we would have millions of new trees standing strong across our valleys. That means stronger soil, fewer floods, cleaner air, and a greener, cooler Kashmir.
Planting a tree may seem simple, but it is a declaration of hope. It says to the world: We will not watch Kashmir fade — we will restore it together.
So next time you walk past an empty patch of land, picture a tall Chinar swaying in the wind, and then go plant it. Each sapling is a promise to protect what Allah has blessed us with — the land, the air, and the water.
How Your Donation Helps
When you give to the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, your donation supports:
- Tree nurseries in Azad Kashmir producing thousands of native saplings.
- Employment for local labourers and women’s cooperatives who manage planting and care.
- Environmental education for schools and communities.
- Climate resilience training for farmers to protect crops through agroforestry.
Your support doesn’t just plant trees — it plants livelihoods, hope, and balance for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Green Kashmir Campaign?
It is an environmental initiative by the Kashmir Welfare Foundation aiming to restore forests across Azad Kashmir by planting one million trees over five years. The project focuses on native species and community-driven reforestation.
2. How can I contribute if I live in the UK?
You can donate online directly to the Green Kashmir Project. Your contribution helps fund saplings, nurseries, and local planting teams. You can also support through Sadaqah or Regular Giving options to sustain the campaign.
3. Are these trees maintained after planting?
Yes. Kashmir Welfare Foundation ensures aftercare for at least the first year of planting, including watering, fencing, and replacement of lost saplings. Local volunteers and schools are trained to take ownership of their nearby trees.
4. Why does reforestation matter for climate change in Kashmir?
Trees absorb carbon, stabilise the soil, and help prevent floods and landslides. Reforestation is one of the most effective natural ways to reduce climate damage in mountainous areas like Azad Kashmir.
5. Can I dedicate a tree as Sadaqah Jariyah?
Absolutely. Planting trees is one of the most beloved acts of continuous charity in Islam. Each tree that grows provides shade, food, and oxygen — a reward that continues long after you are gone.
Trees – Our Identity
Azad Kashmir’s forests are not just a part of our landscape — they are a part of our identity. Rebuilding them is our duty and our legacy. Whether you plant one tree or help plant a thousand through your donation, you are protecting life itself.
Let’s make Kashmir green again — one sapling at a time.
🌳 Donate today:
https://kashmirwelfare.org.uk/green-kashmir-project/
https://kashmirwelfare.org.uk/sadaqah/
https://kashmirwelfare.org.uk/regular-giving/
