Herbal Park Inaugurated at Khimber. Educators, Environmentalists, Civil Society Calls for a Greener Kashmir

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, June 6: In a new step towards promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability, a Herbal Park was inaugurated at Bilaliya Institute campus,  Khimber today. A brainchild of Mr Manzoor Wangnoo, chairman of Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation and Bilaliya Institute, the park was inaugurated by Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, in the presence of hundreds of students, environmentalists, academicians, government officials, representatives of the tourism sector, and members of civil society.

The initiative aims to promote awareness about aromatic, medicinal and herbal plant species while encouraging community participation in environmental conservation. The event witnessed a large-scale plantation drive, with participants planting a variety of herbal and medicinal species as a contribution to future generations.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Ghulam Nabi Itoo, Farooq Peer, Farooq Ahmad Gillani, G. N. Qasba, and Sajad Ahmad Gangoo. Also present was Khurshid Ahmad Shah.

Among other attendees were Ghulam Mohiuddin, Gowhar Khursheed, Manzoor Ahmad, Vandana Daftari, Abdul Rouf Khan, Ishrat Aslam, Shahnawaz Mukhtar, Abdul Rashid, Lateef Ahmad, Khurshid Mahajan, Shamim Shah, Burhan Yaqoob, Farooq Kuthoo, Khursheed Ahmad, Peerzada Faiyaz Ahmad, Showkat Hussain, Aadil Ahmad Dar, Adil Ahmad, Sajad, Syed Zubair Andrabi, Lateif Ahmad, Shafiya Riyaz and Gulzar Ahmad, besides media representatives, police officials and students from BEI, Crescent Public School and Tibetan Public School.

Addressing the gathering, the organiser emphasized that environmental protection requires practical action rather than speeches alone. He said the Herbal Park reflects years of community-driven environmental initiatives, including Mission Ehsaas and the Khimber Green Campus project. He noted that the vision of a greener Kashmir is closely linked with the goal of creating a drug-free society, stressing that healthy environments help nurture healthy minds.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Romshoo highlighted the importance of innovation, environmental responsibility and effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He also offered support for future technical sessions on environmental stewardship for students.

Dr. G. N. Itoo commended the practical environmental initiatives being undertaken by the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) and BEI and stressed the importance of cultivating environmental responsibility among young people.

Dr. Farooq Peer underlined the need for sustained environmental conservation efforts and encouraged NLCO and BEI to continue their work.

Former Chief Conservator of Forests Farooq Ahmad Gillani praised the initiative and observed that BEI had evolved into a biodiversity hotspot, setting an example for educational institutions across the region.

Dr. G. N. Qasba described the environmental transformation achieved at BEI as “beyond imagination” and remarked that such initiatives are rarely witnessed in educational institutions.

Prof. Sajad Ahmad Gangoo highlighted the ecological and health benefits of aromatic, medicinal and herbal plants, noting their contribution to biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness among students.

The speakers collectively appreciated the efforts of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation and BEI, emphasizing that environmental stewardship, innovation and community participation must go hand in hand to achieve sustainable development.

A special note of appreciation was extended to the organising team, including Adil Mirza, Farooq Lone, Azhar Baba, Nisar Ahmad, Syed ur Rehman, Nazir Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad, Zubair Lone and Tahir Ahmad for their contributions in making the event a success. Special appreciation was also expressed for Peerzada Faiyaz Ahmad for moderating the programme.

The inauguration concluded with a collective pledge to expand environmental initiatives across educational institutions. Participants described the Herbal Park not merely as a new green space, but as a model demonstrating how schools can become centres of biodiversity, environmental learning and community action, inspiring students to become ambassadors of ecological conservation.