Kashmir’s Farmers Rally Against Railway Project in Shopian
In the picturesque district of Shopian in Kashmir, the tranquility of apple orchards is disrupted by an unforeseen adversary – railway expansion. Bashir Ahmed Bhat, a 56-year-old farmer, was tending to his orchard when he discovered officials surveying the area, heralding the beginning of a battle for the region’s orchards and livelihood.
The recent approval of five railway lines, including the Awantipora-Shopian route, has sent shockwaves through the valley. Covering nearly 26 kilometers, this expansion threatens to fell countless apple trees, jeopardizing the very livelihoods of the farmers who depend on these orchards for sustenance.
While the government touts the railway expansion as a boon for local businesses, transportation, tourism, and overall socio-economic development, residents argue that the route’s trajectory through numerous orchards was never advocated by the people. Bashir Ahmed Bhat, echoing the concerns of many, questions the necessity of a project that could deal a severe blow to the apple industry, a backbone of the region’s economy.
Rich Horticultural Legacy Threatened
Long before the Mughals arrived in the 16th century, the rulers of Shamir had cultivated gardens and orchards in the Kashmir Valley. Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, or “Budshah” (1420-1470 AD), significantly contributed to horticulture by importing fruit grafts and the art of grafting from Central Asia. The valley, nestled in the Himalayas, boasts a rich variety of fruits, including apples, plums, nut fruits, and grapes.
Exports from the region’s orchards contribute over two million tonnes annually, generating approximately 120 billion rupees in revenue. The apple, walnut, and almond farming collectively provide direct and indirect employment to around 2.3 million people, underlining the significant socio-economic contribution of these activities to Jammu and Kashmir.
Challenges Plaguing Kashmir’s Apple Industry
Kashmir’s apple industry has faced multiple challenges in recent years, from regional lockdowns and climate-induced early snowfall to transportation delays during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Indian government to waive a 20% tariff on Washington apples has added to the distress among local farmers, impacting the competitiveness of domestically grown apples.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami has strongly denounced the reduction in import duty, emphasizing the detrimental effect on local growers. Despite the bumper crop from the Kashmir Valley, farmers face significant hurdles, including lower prices, transportation issues, and changing weather patterns.
Railway Project: A Threat to Agricultural Heartland
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s announcement of five new railway lines in Kashmir, a cause for celebration elsewhere, has instilled fear among Kashmiri apple farmers. Facing challenges exacerbated by climate change, these farmers demand Minimum Support Price (MSP) and government intervention to protect their livelihoods.
Zahoor Ahmed, the district president of Kisan Tehreek Jammu Kashmir, highlights the government’s neglect of the farming sector, leading to farmers dumping their produce at meager prices. The import of Iranian and American apples further compounds the industry’s woes.
The railway project, while hailed for creating employment opportunities and contributing to socio-economic development, faces vehement opposition from locals like Bashir Ahmed Bhat. He questions the imposition of the project without public demand, emphasizing its damaging impact on sustainable land.
**Resisting Imposition: Farmers Reject Compensation**
Hundreds of farmers in Reshipora Shopian reject promises of compensation for their agricultural lands, considering it an inadequate solution. Abdul Ganie Reshi, a local farmer, asserts that the project threatens their honey production, the sole source of income for many. The residents adamantly reject the railway tracks cutting through their lands and call for a change in the project’s route.
While fearful of losing their land, the community remains hopeful that higher authorities will intervene and halt the project. Amid economic considerations, they emphasize the preservation of the environment, stressing that cutting down trees disrupts the natural balance, leading to damaging consequences for the ecosystem and future generations.
The resistance against the railway project in Kashmir’s Shopian echoes the broader struggle of farmers striving to protect their orchards, livelihoods, and the ecological heritage of the region. The battle transcends economic concerns, resonating with the call to preserve the rich environmental tapestry that sustains Kashmir’s unique ecosystem.
