Kashmiri apple orchard owners have expressed their protest, stating that the expansion plans of the Indian Railway pose a deliberate threat to a substantial portion of apple orchards in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the owners said that these orchards serve as a primary source of livelihood and contribute to the socio-economic uplift of thousands of families in the occupied territory. Farmers argue that suitable land exists outside the orchard-rich areas and urge authorities to explore alternative routes that minimize the impact on these vital ecosystems.
As per the Indian plan, five new railway lines crisscross the valley, including a 26-kilometer stretch from Awantipora to Shopian.
The Modi government touts the project’s benefits, claiming it will create jobs, improve transportation, and boost tourism. However, residents see it as a conspiracy aimed at slicing countless apple trees in the name of railway expansion.
Farmers like Bashir Ahmed Butt worry the project will wipe out their orchards, threatening the very foundation of their income and way of life.
Residents emphasize the generational connection to their land. Abdul Rashid Ganie argues that the compensation offered cannot replace the land that has sustained his family for generations and will continue to do so for future ones.
The apple industry in Kashmir is already facing challenges due to climate change, import competition, and transportation hurdles.—KMS
