Budgam, Jun 11: In a compelling story of environmental commitment, renowned journalist Rifat Abdullah has accomplished what many thought impossible—transforming a barren, lifeless stretch of land in Rathsun village of Beerwah hamlet in central Kashmir’s Budgam district into a thriving urban forest, entirely through voluntary effort and without a single rupee of government support.
What began in 2016 as a deeply personal mission to “save the environment and save Kashmir” has evolved into a lush green oasis—an “oxygen zone” for the region.
The space, once abandoned and dry, now teems with biodiversity, drawing birds, pollinators, and people alike, serving as a symbol of hope, resilience and community action.
Journalist Rifat Abdullah said the initiative was born out of his unshakable passion for nature and a growing concern over environmental degradation in the Valley.
“The land was totally barren, looking like a desert near the shrine of Baba Haneef-udin Reshie. I couldn’t bear to see nature stripped of its beauty and utility. So I decided to act—even if it meant doing it all alone,” he said.
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Armed with a vision, Abdullah—along with a handful of like-minded volunteers—began planting indigenous tree species at Rathsun, particularly pine and deodar, which are known to improve soil health and boost biodiversity.
“We didn’t receive any help from the government or NGOs. We purchased plants from the nursery of the Forest Department, paid for them out of our own pocket, and began the work myself,” he said.
Abdullah and his volunteer team, including Pradeep Singh Dardi from Baramulla and Showkat Ahmed Khan from Srinagar, extended their greening mission beyond Rathsun Village as well, planting trees in SKIMS Soura, SKICC lawns, S.P College, Amar Singh College, Indoor Stadium Srinagar, Gindun Sports Stadium Srinagar, Schools, graveyards, Masjids, and even at Gurdwara.
Notably, Pardeep, a former journalist, is now working in the medical field, and Showkat died in an accident last year.
With no water supply or fencing, and without logistical or financial support, maintaining the plantation was a daily battle. Porcupines damaged hundreds of saplings, hundreds were taken away by people, and many dried up due to a lack of water.
“Every Sunday, I came here from Srinagar with hope, we planted 100 saplings, only 10 or 20 would survive the following week. But we never gave up,” Abdullah recalled.
Despite the disheartening setbacks, he continued watering the plants himself and protecting them from animals and vandals. He even funded fencing material from his personal savings to secure the site.
One of the most heartening aspects of the initiative has been the volunteer support it inspired. Though not regular, youth and nature lovers from different parts of Kashmir kept joining him, moved by the mission and its message.
“We never hired labourers. Every tree here was planted with someone’s bare hands—nurtured with care, love, and sweat,” he said.
Even though Abdullah has now stepped back due to professional commitments, he believes the space can still grow—with community will. “I may not have time now, but the land is still there, and the opportunity still exists. If more people take ownership, this green zone can thrive further,” he said.
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“Not a single department—Forests, Horticulture, or Rural Development—came forward, not even symbolically. It’s ironic how often we hear slogans about climate action, yet ground-level efforts are left unsupported,” he said.
He pointed out that the site where even social forestry attempts had failed to grow keekar, now proudly supports a mini forest, proving that commitment can overcome even the harshest odds.
The Rathsun urban forest today stands not just as a symbol of environmental success but as a beacon of what ordinary citizens can achieve. Civil society groups, environmental activists, and the public have started recognising it as one of the first citizen-led climate resilience models in Kashmir.
“It gives me peace when I walk here and hear birds chirping. This place breathes now—and that’s what keeps me going,” Abdullah said, smiling.
In an era where green spaces are rapidly vanishing, Abdullah’s work is a timely reminder that the road to ecological recovery doesn’t always require big budgets or institutional programs. Sometimes, all it takes is one person with a vision, a spade, and a heart full of resolve.
He said that planting trees in forests is easy, as there are favourable conditions, but planting them in a barren land where even the social forestry department had failed in growing keekar was a big challenge.
