NEELUM VALLEY (Kashmir English): A Tree Plantation Drive was officially launched in upper Neelum under the supervision of the Pakistan Army, marking the beginning of seasonal plantation activities as the region experiences a shift in weather.
Local figures, including the commanding officer, together with Acting Tehsildar Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, participated in the inaugural event organized by the Army. Both groups initiated the campaign by planting saplings at the beginning of the official event.
The area residents expressed their strong backing toward the initiative by enabling participation from individuals such as DSP Sagheer Sheikh and SHO Mumtaz from the police station and council member Afzal Qureshi, and Headmaster of the Boys’ High School, and several regional community figures.
During the ceremony, Acting Tehsildar Khawaja Farooq Ahmed delivered a speech highlighting the environmental and social importance of trees. He emphasised that trees not only enhance the beauty and landscape of our surroundings but also create a refreshing and sustainable environment.
“Planting trees is an investment in our collective future,” he stated, adding that it benefits ecosystems, wildlife, and human societies alike.
He further stressed that environmental conservation is guaranteed through plantation drives like these and praised the Pakistan Army not just for defending the nation but also for contributing to its better future.
“The beauty of the universe lies in its natural and pure air,” he said, noting that when humans deviate from nature, it leads to chaos and disorder on Earth.
Ahmed explained that trees alongside Earth function as divine elements which clean pollution while preserving ecological harmony.
Deforestation without restraint, together with river waste dumping and overusing machinery, have created both environmental decline along the growth of diseases, according to his warning.
The speaker emphasized to listeners that tree planting is a Holy Prophet (PBUH) Sunnah, which establishes its dual religious and ethical foundation.
He praised the efforts of Pakistan’s Army and asked citizens to unite above ground with military personnel to help with tree planting activities, which should focus on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Neelum.
The attendees left the event with both responsibility and dedication to build a sustainable and healthier environment.
