JAMMU: Hilal Malik has emerged as the winner of the inaugural Forestry and Wildlife Photography Competition organised by the Planning and Publicity Division of the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department, with his evocative captures of the region’s rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes earning wide appreciation from the jury.
Malik was awarded for his documentation of wildlife, people and forest-life across the region.
Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, congratulated Hilal Malik on his remarkable achievement and lauded his contribution towards promoting environmental awareness through the art of photography.
The Minister underscored the importance of such initiatives in inspiring the youth to forge a deeper connect with nature and take an active role in conservation efforts.
In recognition of his accomplishment, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), J&K, felicitated Hilal Malik at a function held at the Forest Complex, Srinagar. Senior officers and officials of the department were present on the occasion and commended the participant for showcasing the natural splendour and wildlife of Jammu and Kashmir through their lenses.
Notably, Hilal Malik has been working behind the lens for more than two decades since joining the forest department, passionately capturing the region’s wildlife, forest-life, and its people.
Others adjudged winners in their respective categories included Abdul Qayoom Sofi (Birds) and Amir Shafi Rather (Landscape).