As the Year of Compassion celebrations drew to a close, the Dehradun Ghoton Committee decided to conclude the year with a meaningful and lasting initiative—a plantation drive. Following a series of meetings chaired by Dr. Tsewang Phuntsok, Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO), Dehradun, the committee unanimously resolved to organize the plantation programme as the final event of the year-long celebrations.

Following this decision, the Tibetan Settlement Officer, along with members of the Ghoton Committee, met with the Forest Ranger, Dehradun, to discuss the proposed plantation drive and obtain the necessary guidance and permission. The Forest Department officials identified and showed the committee several suitable locations for the programme. After carefully inspecting the sites, the committee selected the forest area near Tsering Dhonden Tibetan Colony, Nalapani, Raipur, and Clement Town, Dehradun, as the venues for the plantation drives.

The plantation drives were successfully organized on 2 and 3 July 2026 to commemorate the 90th Birthday of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. The programme aimed to promote environmental conservation, increase green cover, and pay tribute to His Holiness through a meaningful act of service to nature.

On 2 July 2026, the first plantation drive was held at the forest area near Tsering Dhonden Tibetan Colony, Nalapani, Raipur. Despite intermittent rainfall, 290 volunteers, including members of the Dehradun Ghoton Committee, the Tibetan Settlement Office, Volunteers from colonies enthusiastically participated in the programme. Together, they prepared the land and successfully planted 260 saplings comprising Cassia Glauca, Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), and Cassia siamea, under the guidance of the Forest Department.

The plantation initiative continued on 3 July 2026 with a second plantation drive at Clement Town, Dehradun, where 68 volunteers actively participated in planting 113 saplings, further strengthening the campaign for environmental conservation and afforestation. The enthusiastic participation at both locations reflected the community’s collective commitment to preserving nature and creating a greener environment for future generations.

Over the course of the two-day programme, a total of 358 volunteers planted 373 saplings, making the initiative a remarkable success. Participants also pledged to care for and monitor the newly planted saplings to ensure their healthy growth and long-term survival.

The programme concluded with a message emphasizing that planting trees is not only an act of environmental stewardship but also a reflection of the values of compassion, interdependence, and universal responsibility taught by His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. These plantation drives served as a fitting conclusion to the Year of Compassion celebrations, leaving behind a lasting green legacy and reinforcing the community’s dedication to environmental conservation.