Srinagar, Apr 2 (JKNS): In a significant step towards promoting environmental sustainability in Kashmir’s educational institutions, PARAS Health Srinagar, in collaboration with Kashmir Concern, on Thursday organised a mega plantation drive under the “Green Campus for Clean Air” initiative at Amar Singh College Srinagar.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including academicians, healthcare professionals, environmentalists, civil society members, journalists and students, united by a shared commitment to building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Kashmir.
The drive was inaugurated by a panel of dignitaries including Prof. (Dr.) Ajaz Hakak, Principal Amar Singh College; Dr. Murtuza Habib, Facility Director PARAS Health Srinagar; Saleem Beg, Convenor INTACH J&K Chapter; G.N. Qasba, Patron Kashmir Concern; Shahid Jibran, journalist; Nazir Ganaie, pulmonologist; Dr. Naveed Nazir, Head Community Medicine; Dr. Saleem Ahmad Khan; and Dr. Nusrat, Head Department of Botany, along with her team.
The programme also witnessed participation from Dr. Touseef Bhatt (Chairman Kashmir Concern), Manzoor Wangnoo (Chairman NLCO), Advocate Sajad Mir, Sheikh Basher (hotelier), Dr. S.M. Saleem Khan (HOD GMC and Rotarian), besides forest officials, entrepreneurs, media representatives and over 50 volunteers from Kashmir Concern.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Touseef Bhatt said the initiative reflects a collective commitment towards a healthier future. “This plantation drive shows what can be achieved through strong institutional partnerships. With the support of Amar Singh College and PARAS Health, we are not just planting trees but investing in the long-term well-being of Kashmir,” he said.
Prof. (Dr.) Ajaz Hakak reiterated the college’s commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighting the role of educational institutions as “living laboratories” for sustainable practices.
Highlighting the link between environment and public health, Dr. Murtuza Habib stressed that increasing green cover is essential to address rising respiratory illnesses, improve air quality and enhance overall quality of life.
He also outlined a roadmap for expanding the “Greener Kashmir” campaign, focusing on campus-based green models, promotion of native plantations, strengthening waste management systems and creating clean-air corridors.
Emphasising community participation, Dr. Habib said the initiative would encourage students and local communities to adopt and maintain green spaces to ensure the long-term survival of saplings. He added that PARAS Health plans to integrate environmental action with public health outreach, including awareness campaigns on pollution-related diseases and developing youth “Green Ambassadors” to drive grassroots climate action.
He further said that PARAS Health Srinagar aims to work closely with the Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology to expand the initiative across the Valley.
The drive concluded with the plantation of hundreds of native saplings, including fruit-bearing trees, flowering plants and ornamental species such as golden cypress, across the Amar Singh College campus, with active participation from students, forest officials and volunteers.
The plantation drive was also attended by several dignitaries who participated in the event by planting saplings, including Sajjad Bazaz, Advocate Sajad Mir, Sheikh Basher, Dr. Rouf Ahmad, Dr. Khalid Ahmad, Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, Khartik Chopra, Priya Thapar, Dr. Shafat Ahmad, Ali Mohammad Loan, Rauf Tramboo, Azeeta Qureshi (JKAS), Dr. Mohammad Rayees Dar, Sheikh Tariq, Gazala Abdullah, Sheikh Altaf (with staff), Nisar Ahmad Malik (with team), Aejaz Paul, G.M. Dar, Shabir Hussain, Range Officer JK Forest (with team), Dr. Farooq, Dr. Shahid Jibran, Sheikh Raashid, Khair-ul-Nissa, Khalid Aslam, Imran and Imtiyaz Chisti, Afaq Khan, Narender Singh Bali, Adil Shah, Architect Izwan Ahmad Bhat, Azhar Tantray, Fahd Khan, Muntazir Nazir, Vikas Shams, Basit Lateef, Shah Gowhar, Peer Arfat, Rashid Khan, Munazah Qazi, Zainab Yaqoob, Malik Sarah, Muntaza Manzoor, Navneet Kour, Sajid Markazi, Masheed Zehra, Moomin Mehraj, Shahnawaz Mukhtar, Athar Wani, Syed Arsalan Bukhari, Arshid Dar, Syed Farhat Hussain, Tariq Patloo, Jannat Tariq and Faizan Salmani along with 55 volunteers of Kashmir Concern. (JKNS)
