March 27,  2022

As a part of living H.H The Dalai Lama's vision and disseminating his life’s commitment to environmental protection, One of Secular Ethics department of  Tong-Len's projects is planting trees for nature conservation. This project was started from Chakban Sarah (Dharamshala), near our main office location by planting 113 trees in the year 2020. Now, we have  expanded the same project in Spiti valley at Kaza on a larger scale in honour and tribute to his H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama.

As in Buddhism belief H.H, the 14th Dalai Lama is the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara (God of compassion), which has 1000 eyes and hands, so 1000 plants is planted in one patch as  an auspicious belief.

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Significance of the project at the chosen site

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Spiti valley is high altitude cold desert located in the deep Himalayas enriched with Himalayan flora and scanty vegetation. Due to global warming, the glaciers are melting and the high altitudes reason is at greater risk of a massive flood. The major rivers originating from the Himalayas are the lifeline of the people living on the plain areas. The shrinkage of glaciers at an accelerated rate can also result in a shortage of water. Unpredictable weather and scanty and irregular rainfall patterns are already evident in the present world.

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Planting trees in such a landscape can be challenging but can reclaim the natural water system and ecological system. Not only to nature and the environment but it can provide communal and economic (food, reduce noise pollution, beautification, resource) benefits as well. Research has shown that trees make life nicer and calm you down. Hence, despite challenges, Spiti valley is chosen as the project site.