Kashmir: Plantation Drive at Malshahi Bagh, Anti-Plastic Campaign at Manasbal Lake | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) on Saturday conducted a plantation drive at the hilltop of Malshahi Bagh, opposite Beehama Chowk, aiming to restore a barren and neglected landscape and enhance green cover in the area.

The drive was led by EPG Convenor Faiz Ahmad Bakshi and attended by Governing Council Member Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad, who also heads the Responsible Tourism Association of India (RTAOI). Environmentalist and EPG–Green Citizen Council member Rouf Ahmad Khan was also present. Officials from the Sindh Forest Division supported the initiative by providing conifer saplings.

Participants highlighted the need for reclaiming degraded landscapes through sustained, community-driven interventions. As part of the pilot phase, 100 saplings were planted to assess survival rates, with plans for expansion in subsequent phases.

In a parallel initiative, a month-long “No Plastic/Polythene” campaign and signature drive was organised at Manasbal Lake by the Social Concern Group (SCG). The programme witnessed participation from EPG members, SCG leadership, and volunteers.

Addressing the gathering, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi stressed the importance of collective responsibility in tackling environmental degradation and called for wider public participation in afforestation and conservation efforts, particularly around Manasbal Lake. He said that preserving the lake, a centuries-old natural asset, must go hand in hand with maintaining cleanliness.

Peerzada Fayaz Ahmad said the lake requires proper ecological restoration to regain its original character and underlined its potential for tourism and adventure activities. He also offered support from the travel and tour fraternity for developing Manasbal as a tourist destination.

Bakshi appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to prioritise the lake’s development, noting that it falls within his constituency. He said focused attention could help generate employment opportunities and improve living conditions for local residents.

SCG office bearers expressed concern over pollution from the Lar Canal, which continues to discharge plastic waste and debris into the lake, adversely affecting its ecosystem. They noted that Manasbal Lake, once considered among the cleanest and deepest water bodies in the region, has suffered due to neglect, despite some recent interventions.

They also acknowledged the sustained efforts of volunteers and community groups engaged in restoration work. The Environmental Policy Group reiterated its commitment to similar initiatives across vulnerable areas, emphasising coordinated action between authorities and the public for sustainable environmental management.