Srinagar: In a desperate bid to save their livelihoods, farmers in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have launched a fast and protest against the decision of the Modi regime represented by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to acquire 600 acres of fertile horticultural land for the establishment of a campus in Pulwama.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the land in question, located in Parigam, has been cultivated by generations of local families, but now faces the threat of being repurposed for a non-agricultural project, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus.

Feroz Ahmed Wani, a 51-year-old farmer, is at the forefront of the protest, having not eaten for four days in a bid to draw attention to the decision. “This land is my life. It is my family’s life,” said Wani. “What will we eat? How will we survive if they take it away from us?”

Kashmir’s agriculture is heavily reliant on its karewa lands—elevated plateaus that are rich in alluvial soil. These lands support some of the territory’s most valuable crops, including saffron, almonds, and apples. But now, local farmers fear that their land, which comprises about 20% of Kashmir’s total area suitable for cultivation, will be wiped out in favor of infrastructure projects like the NIT campus.

The 600-acre land parcel in question is home to 5.5 lakh fruit trees, including apples, almonds, plums, walnuts, and apricots, all of which will be destroyed if the project proceeds. A farmer from Lonepora, “Four generations of our families have cultivated this land. If they take it away, how will we repay the loans we’ve taken to expand our farming operations?” Many farmers have borrowed money to transition to high-density apple farming, supported by government subsidies.

The proposed NIT campus, which spans nine times the size of the existing 67-acre site, has raised questions regarding its necessity. “What justifies taking so much land for an engineering college?” asks Ameer, a local postdoctoral fellow.

“These orchards are vital for carbon absorption, mitigating air pollution, and providing habitats for pollinators. Their destruction is a loss not only to farmers but to the environment as a whole,” said Dr. Ishtiyaq, an environmental activist.

With 70% of Kashmir’s population relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the loss of fertile land would have wide-reaching economic consequences, impacting everyone from farmers to local businesses. “When farmers lack the financial means, it affects the entire region,” said Hamid, a local postgraduate student.