Pahalgami is founder and president of the NGO Himalayan Welfare Organization, Pahalgam (HWO), committed to service in the areas of health care, environmental protection and conservation, tourism, education,[7] poverty reduction and alleviation[8] human rights, and preservation of the famous Kolahoi Glacier, Lidder and Sind Rivers.

[9] He and his team at HWO are known in the region for organizing free medical camps,[10] educational conferences, environment preservation and awareness programmes, seminars and symposiums about the right to Information[11][12] public education and health care,[13] drug deaddiction, animal rights, sanitation and hygiene apart from ongoing flood relief operations after the recent floods in the valley.

[15] HWO has also organised over 100 hundreds of camps and information campaigns to promote and ensure conservation of the natural ecosystems of the Lidder and Sind rivers as well as the Kolhoi Glacier.

[16][17] Mushtaq Pahalgami's sustained efforts at inculcating a culture of rational critique and inquiry among the youth, have also strengthened the citizens' movement in the region.

[19][20] Pahalgami has been pursuing the welfare of his local environment in his capacities and has been vocal about the encroachment of forests by hotels & resorts and the rising pressure on wildlife, sometimes bearing physical assault for his intentions,[21][22] yet organising clean-up treks against the use of plastic in his village.