Siran Valley, Pakistan

Thirteen-year-old Taugeer will never forget the day his cousin died.  A massive earthquake shook everything in his world, killing his cousin, Arshad.  “He was travelling in a carrier van,” Taugeer explains, “and a huge landslide swept the vehicle into a deep ravine, killing all 13 people on board.”

The date was October 8, 2005.  Today, Taugeer stands at the spot where the tragedy occurred.  “I am standing on the same ledge where this landslide took my cousin’s life,” he says.  “But I stand here with a hope and inspiration to deal with the real cause of this disaster.”

More than 43,000 trees have been planted by mountain communities in Pakistan’s Siran Valley, in an effort to prevent soil erosion and landslides. World Vision funded a campaign to plant 2,000 rapid growing trees, and Taugeer and his friends pitched in to do the actual planting.  With enthusiasm and determination on their smiling faces, they headed toward the site, to break ground for the young trees.

Mushtaq Zafar, an environmental consultant in Pakistan, explains how such planting projects can help keep ground stable.  He explains that on steep slopes, it’s best to develop “vegetation beds”.  This is done by placing jute rugs on the ground, soaking them, then allowing weeds and natural grass to germinate there.  “For less steep and regular slanting slopes, it is advised to plant trees, which is a permanent solution to soil erosion and onset of landslides,” he adds.

Taugeer sees other benefits, too. “Trees not only give protection in terms of landslides and flooding, but they also clean our environment and add to the beauty of these mountains.  I have planted 15 trees in this campaign and pray that they all grow to become beautiful trees.  When the wind passes by them, their leaves will dance and will remind me of my cousin’s smiling face”, he says.