Kashmir’s apple orchards, a key source of employment for millions, are under threat from a new railway project that could jeopardize many livelihoods.
Muhammad Shafi, a farmer in Indian-administered Kashmir, was shocked when government officials showed up on his land last year to measure it for the construction of a railway line. Since then, his 1,500 sq meter apple farm has been deserted, with concrete poles marking the proposed railway track.
Apple farming is the main economic driver in Kashmir, employing nearly 3.5 million farmers and contributing over 8 percent to the region’s GDP. Many farmers, like Shafi, have invested their entire lives and resources into their orchards, only to have them taken away by the government.
Residents in Kashmir have been protesting the land acquisition, with some farmers receiving notices that their orchards will be taken over for the railway project. The fear of losing their land, and subsequently their livelihoods, has sparked outrage among the farming community.
While improved connectivity is a long-standing demand in Kashmir, with only one national highway prone to blockages, the construction of the railway lines could come at a high cost. Experts warn that cutting down trees for the project could have negative ecological impacts, affecting the local economy and environment.
Despite promises of fair compensation and consultations with stakeholders, many locals feel that their voices are not being heard in the decision-making process. The distrust towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which revoked the region’s special status in 2019, has only heightened concerns about the railway project.
As the fate of Kashmir’s apple orchards hangs in the balance, farmers are left grappling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead for their lands and livelihoods.
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1. Apple farming is Kashmir’s biggest economic driver, employing millions of people and contributing significantly to the region’s GDP.
2. The proposed railway project threatens the livelihoods of many apple farmers in Kashmir, as it will require the acquisition of fertile lands, most of which are home to apple orchards.
3. Farmers have invested their entire lives and limited resources in raising these orchards, and they are now facing the prospect of losing them without adequate compensation.
4. The construction of the railway line is expected to improve connectivity within Kashmir, but many residents are concerned about the environmental impact and the potential loss of forest cover.
5. There is also a level of distrust towards the government, particularly the BJP, following the revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019, leading to concerns about the true intentions behind the railway project.
6. Environmentalists and experts argue that the railway project could have negative consequences for the local economy and ecology, and that proper consultation with stakeholders and adherence to laws regarding land acquisition are necessary.