FIR Filed Against Physics Wallah Over Illegal Ad Shoot in Gulmarg Forest

An advertisement by the edtech company Physics Wallah has sparked concerns over environmental damage in Kashmir. The ad, featuring its faculty driving through Baderkote forests near Baramulla's Gulmarg, led to a police investigation. An FIR was filed at Tangmarg police station following a complaint from Forest Range Officer Gulmarg, Iftikhar Ahmad Qadri.

The complaint highlighted a YouTube video showing six black Scorpio vehicles without registration plates entering the forest illegally. The footage was used to promote Physics Wallah's 'Toofan' initiative for students in Classes 9 to 12. The video depicted the vehicles driving through forest areas and pastures, raising questions about the company's commitment to conservation.

Environmental Concerns

The forest officer's complaint noted that the vehicles were driven off-road over green meadows, damaging herbs and flora. This action violated the Indian Forest Act 1927 and Forest Conservation Act 1980. Consequently, police registered cases under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for mischief and causing damage to government property.

This incident follows a similar case 20 days earlier when several YouTubers were booked for damaging Budgam's ecosystem. They were filmed driving through pastures and meadows, leading Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohidin to order an FIR.

Legal Implications

The legal actions taken against Physics Wallah and others highlight growing concerns about preserving Kashmir's fragile environment. Such incidents have prompted authorities to enforce stricter measures against those who harm natural habitats.

Bashaarat Masood, a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, has been covering Jammu and Kashmir for two decades. His work focuses on politics, conflict, and development in the region. Bashaarat received the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter.