Young volunteers in Buner are using innovative seed balls to grow forests in hard-to-reach mountains, helping restore green spaces while raising awareness about climate change and environmental conservation
WEBDESK – ABDUL REHMAN SHAHEER – MEDIABITES NEWS
A New Approach to Reforesting Mountains
A group of young volunteers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district is taking an innovative approach to restoring forests by using seed balls instead of traditional tree planting. The initiative aims to spread tree seeds across steep, barren mountains where carrying and planting saplings is difficult.
Among the pioneers of this campaign is 25-year-old Shabbir Khan, who launched the effort in 2019. He later established Climate Warrior Buner, a volunteer group that promotes tree plantation and climate awareness through community engagement.
How Seed Balls Work?
Seed balls are small spheres made from soil, organic compost, sand, and tree seeds. These balls are scattered across mountains and remote areas where conventional plantation is nearly impossible. When rainfall and soil conditions are favorable, the seeds germinate naturally and begin growing into trees.
According to Shabbir Khan, seed balls are not intended to replace traditional plantation but to complement it by reaching areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
Protecting Buner’s Forests
Buner is home to thousands of hectares of natural pine forests, but illegal logging, forest fires, overgrazing, and rising temperatures continue to threaten the region’s green cover. Local volunteers say they have witnessed temperatures rise significantly over recent years, making climate change increasingly visible at the local level.
The devastating cloudburst that struck Buner last year further strengthened the group’s determination to take practical steps toward environmental protection.
Thousands of Trees, Millions of Seed Balls
The volunteers claim to have planted around 20,000 trees while distributing millions of seed balls across mountainous areas. Their campaign also includes awareness sessions in schools, colleges, and local communities to encourage long-term environmental responsibility rather than seasonal plantation drives.
Despite the progress, Shabbir Khan says protecting newly grown forests remains the biggest challenge. Illegal tree cutting, wildfires, and a lack of public awareness continue to threaten conservation efforts.
He believes stronger cooperation between local communities, educational institutions, and government departments is essential for protecting Pakistan’s forests. The initiative highlights how innovative, community-led solutions can contribute to combating climate change while creating a greener future for generations to come.
