Nadeem Qadri Conferred ‘Guardian of the Himalayas’ Title at Chinar Book Festival

Ziraat Times News Desk

SRINAGAR, July 30: Environmental lawyer and activist Advocate Nadeem Qadri has been conferred the title of “Guardian of the Himalayas” by the H. N. Wanchoo Trust, Jammu & Kashmir, and Let’s Spread Happiness Foundation, Uttarakhand, in recognition of his work in environmental jurisprudence, policy advocacy, environmental education and community-led conservation.

The recognition was presented during a Reading Marathon held as part of the Chinar Book Festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.

The ceremony was attended by filmmaker Imtiaz Ali as the chief guest. Samraant Virmani, Founder-President of Let’s Spread Happiness Foundation, and Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Founder-Chairperson of H. N. Wanchoo Trust and Chief Convener of the Chinar Book Festival, presented the honour to Qadri.

According to the organisers, the “Guardian of the Himalayas” recognition is conferred annually by the Dehradun Literature Festival Foundation, an initiative associated with Let’s Spread Happiness Foundation, on individuals and organisations for contributions to environmental awareness and conservation.

Qadri, founder of The Nature University, has been involved in environmental advocacy and conservation initiatives across Jammu & Kashmir and the wider Himalayan region. His work includes environmental education, biodiversity conservation, legal advocacy and efforts aimed at strengthening community participation in conservation.

Accepting the recognition, Qadri dedicated the honour to environmentalists, conservationists, forest workers, volunteers, students, researchers and community members engaged in protecting and restoring Himalayan ecosystems.

He also called for greater public participation and sustained collective action on environmental protection.

The two organisations also announced an annual initiative under which two environmental champions will be recognised each year—one from Jammu & Kashmir and another from Uttarakhand—for contributions to the protection of Himalayan ecosystems, forests, rivers, wetlands, biodiversity and mountain communities.

Dr. Amit Wanchoo said the initiative was intended to recognise environmental leadership and encourage wider participation in the protection of the Himalayan region.

Samraant Virmani said the “Guardian of the Himalayas” title was intended to recognise environmental work while encouraging others to contribute towards the preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem.

The Reading Marathon was organised by the H. N. Wanchoo Trust as the community outreach partner for the Chinar Book Festival, with the stated objective of promoting reading and environmental awareness among participants.

The H. N. Wanchoo Trust works in areas including education, healthcare, environmental conservation, agriculture, culture, youth empowerment and community development in Jammu & Kashmir. Let’s Spread Happiness Foundation, based in Uttarakhand, works in areas including youth empowerment, education, environmental conservation and community development.

The Nature University, founded by Qadri, focuses on environmental education, biodiversity conservation, ecological research and interdisciplinary collaboration.