Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has appointed environmental lawyer Advocate Nadeem Qadri as amicus curiae to assist in matters relating to the prevention, control, and management of forest fires across the Union Territory.
The order was passed by a Bench comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning recurring forest fires in Kashmir.
The Court had taken suo motu cognisance in April 2025 following a news report in Greater Kashmir titled “Kashmir’s Forests Continue to Burn”. Notices were issued to the Government of J&K and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, who submitted a status report on the steps taken by the department.
After examining the reply, the Court noted that while the matter did not warrant further proceedings at present, the sensitivity of the issue required continuing oversight. Accordingly, the Bench appointed Advocate Qadri as amicus curiae “just in case any fresh cause of action arises or anything that impels the intervention of this Court.”
The Court directed the Registrar Judicial to provide Qadri with a complete set of records and past orders relating to the case.
Reacting to the appointment, Advocate Qadri expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice and the Bench for reposing trust in him and the Centre for Environmental Law (CEL). He said he would work towards strengthening prevention and mitigation mechanisms to safeguard Kashmir’s forests from recurring fire incidents.
Forest fires have been a recurring environmental challenge in Jammu & Kashmir, with experts warning of severe ecological and livelihood impacts if preventive measures are not urgently scaled up.
