In a significant initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo today launched a mega plantation drive across Jammu and Kashmir from SRML Higher Secondary School (HSS) here to instil the sprit of environmental protection and green development among students.
MLAs Qaysar Jamshaid Lone; Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and Showkat Hussain Ganie; MD ICDS, Sajad Hussain Ganai; Director School Education Jammu; Naseem Javid Choudhary; Director Social Welfare Jammu, Ranjeet Singh; Director Health Jammu, Principal SRML HSS Jammu, CEO Jammu, Principals and Headmasters of other HSSs and HSs of Jammu district, large number of teachers and students were also present on the occasion.
Director Social Welfare Kashmir, Director Colleges, J&K, Director School Education Kashmir, Director Health Kashmir, Chief Education Officers of all districts other than Jammu, Principals and Headmasters of various HSSs and HSs along with students and faculty also participated in the plantation drive virtually.
The drive has been organised collectively by School Education, Higher Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education departments.
Addressing a large gathering after planting a sapling, the Minister highlighted that that environmental protection must begin at the grassroots level and schools play a pivotal role in shaping responsible future generations. “This day is not just the launch of a programme, today we started a movement, a movement to clean our land, protect our future and nurture life”, she stated.
She added that around 2.50 lakh tree saplings are being planted across Jammu and Kashmir in Schools, Higher Secondary Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Anganwadi centres, Healthcare facilities and other places.
The Education Minister underlined that Jammu and Kashmir has always been known for its natural beauty, valleys, forests, rivers and green pastures but that beauty is under silent threat. “Climate change, rising temperatures, harmed nature are realities, we can no longer ignore. Truth is simple, if we do not act now, we risk compromising the future of our children”, she lamented.
The Minister said that in order to secure our future and future of coming generations, this Green Jammu and Kashmir initiative has been launched. “Green Jammu and Kashmir initiative is a clear vision to transform every school, every health institution, into a green, vibrant and life-supporting space. A tree is not just a tree, it is clean air for the patient, shade for a student and hope for the future”, she stated.
Calling students the ambassadors of environmental protection, Sakeena Itoo said that students are not just participants in this mission, they are its ambassadors.
Giving slogan of one student -one tree, the Minister said, “Let every student make a promise and pledge one student-one tree. Let every tree you plant grow with you, as a symbol of your responsibility and your love for this land”.
The Minister also called upon the teachers that the schools should be examples of protecting nature.
Highlighting that health is deeply connected to the nature, the Minister also spoke about the role of doctors and healthcare professionals to environmental sustainability. “Greener air, greener surroundings, peaceful space contribute directly to healing. Let our hospitals not only treat illness, but also promote wellness through nature”, she said.
The Minister also underlined the role of Social Welfare department, adding that their reach at the grassroots is unmatched and they are the backbone of this movement.
“It is not about how many young trees we plant in a day. It is about how many trees survive, grow and become a part of our lives”, Sakeena Itoo said.
The Minister highlighted that we need to move from plantation to preservation, from campaign to commitment, from effort to ownership. “Every tree grown will have a protector. Every institution will have a responsibility and every district will have a mission to complete”, she said.
The Minister on the occasion, asked all participants, to promise with themselves and pledge to make every school greener, every hospital healthier, every season a protector of nature. “Together let us not just plant trees, let us plant hope”, she said.
On the sidelines of the programme, Sakeena Itoo also distributed sports kits among various government schools to encourage physical fitness and promote sporting culture among youth. The kits included equipment for multiple disciplines aimed at strengthening extracurricular engagement and identifying sporting talent at an early stage.
In another major boost to educational infrastructure, the Minister also handed over technical equipment like desktops and other stuff to several schools to enhance digital learning and skill-based education. The initiative is expected to improve classroom experiences and enable students to adapt to modern technological advancements.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to girl child education and empowerment, Sakeena Itoo also distributed bicycles among girl students from different schools.
The Minister reiterated that empowering girls through education remains a top priority of the government. She noted that providing mobility support directly contributes to reducing dropout rates and fostering confidence among young learners.
Pertinently, the plantation drive, organised by the School Education Department in collaboration with allied departments, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, education officials, and local stakeholders across Jammu and Kashmir.