Chitral – The Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), in collaboration with the Forest Department of Chitral, conducted a tree plantation drive in Drungagh as part of the Billion Tree Tsunami Project initiated by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SLF’s area of operation covers the entire scientific distribution range of the snow leopard, approximately 80,000 sq. km, which spans the Chitral District in KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of AJK.

SLF’s research, conservation, and education programs, as identified in the National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (NSLEP) developed and endorsed by the Government of Pakistan, focus on potential snow leopard habitats across the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalaya, and Pamir mountain ranges. Currently, the community-based conservation program is implemented in several villages and valleys in Chitral, including Rech, Ujnu, Sor Laspur, Balim, Drungagh, Mori Payeen, Koghuzi, Barghuzi, Kuju Payeen, Kuju Bala, Parsan, Bokhtuli, Birir, and Golain.

The primary objectives of the plantation drive are to reduce pressure on natural forests and to provide timber and fuelwood on nearby slopes and farmlands. Additionally, the drive aims to stabilize slopes and reduce landslides, protect the snow leopard’s habitat, provide forage for livestock, and minimize competition between livestock and wild ungulates for food. Most importantly, this initiative involves the local community in conservation efforts.

Drungagh, located in UC Kosht, Subdivision Mastuj, is a key habitat for the endangered snow leopard, ibex, and other significant wildlife species. SLF has been working with the Snow Leopard Conservation Organization (SLCO) Drungagh since 2008. The community has adopted the snow leopard-friendly vaccination program, conducted twice a year in the village. The area is irrigated by three channels and has great agricultural potential. While the slopes surrounding the village offer ideal sites for plantation, limited resources have hindered large-scale efforts. The community has expressed a strong willingness to engage in extensive plantation on these slopes.

To address this need, SLF, in coordination with the Forest Department Chitral, conducted its first plantation drive in 2012. The community is now harvesting fuelwood from that site. A second plantation was carried out in 2016 under the Billion Tree Tsunami Project (BTTAP), resulting in 12,300 plants being planted on barren land irrigated by channel water. According to the Forest Department, the plantation has shown a high survival rate, and officials have commended SLF and SLCO Drungagh for their efforts.

Continuing this success, SLCO Drungagh requested additional plants for this year’s plantation. With approval from the District Forest Officer (DFO), SLF was provided with 26,500 plants—21,300 bare-rooted and 5,200 tube plants—from the Forest Department. These plants were distributed and planted in Drungagh under the supervision of SLF and SLCO Drungagh. Senior Associate Conservation at SLF, Khurshid Ali Shah, organized and oversaw the collection and transportation of the plants from Koghuzi and Mroi nurseries to Drungagh.