Youth Launch 'Every Tree a Hope' Campaign to Green Kabul

A group of educated young people in Kabul has initiated a volunteer campaign called 'Every Tree a Hope' to combat severe air pollution and improve the city's green spaces.

The campaign was started by brothers Tamim and Iqbal Alamyar. Tamim Alamyar, an engineering graduate and project lead, said the idea stemmed from a family discussion while watching videos by local YouTuber Amran Wadan. His brother Iqbal questioned why Wadan did not plant trees in the areas he visited to leave a legacy and promote environmental care, prompting them to act.

The group began by planting 12 trees on the barren hills of Haji Nabi neighborhood without seeking income, aiming to foster patriotism and public good. So far, they have planted 142 trees across eight sessions in locations including the hills of Haji Nabi, Saadati Hofiyani Mosque, Qargha Dam, Sakhi Shrine, and Kart-e Se area. Alamyar expressed hope that the Taliban would assist with water supply to transform the hills into a green park.

Alamyar told Hasht-e Subh that operations started in Kabul for easier access, volunteer coordination, and maintenance. The group, now with 30 core volunteers, plans to expand to nearby provinces like Maidan Wardak, Bamyan, and Ghazni, and eventually all 34 provinces with public support. Friends from Herat and Sar-e Pol have expressed interest in local chapters.

The initiative focuses on native Afghan trees such as arghavan, mulberry, shang, najo, and oak to boost biodiversity, avoiding invasive species like Russian willow. Initially self-funded—each member contributed 500 afghanis—the project received its first donation of 12,000 afghanis from a woman in Germany after two months.

Alamyar emphasized tree-planting as a public benefit for humans, birds, and animals, promoting patriotism without expectation of profit. The group shares videos on YouTube and Instagram to encourage participation in environmental protection and air quality improvement. Alamyar said the work has strengthened team bonds, with tree-planting becoming the core of their friendships.