Srinagar, Apple orchard owners in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are raising concerns over the expansion of the Indian Railway, which they claim threatens their livelihoods and the region’s agricultural heritage.

According to Kashmir Media Service, local farmers are voicing their opposition to the railway’s expansion, arguing it endangers the apple orchards that constitute a significant source of income for thousands of families in IIOJK. They suggest that the railway authorities consider alternative paths that would spare the orchard areas, thus preserving the region’s socio-economic fabric.

The Indian government’s initiative includes constructing five new railway lines across the valley, with one notable section spanning 26 kilometers between Awantipora and Shopian. While the government promotes the project as a means to foster job creation, enhance transport, and promote tourism, many Kashmiris perceive it as a threat to their agricultural livelihood, particularly impacting the area’s predominant apple production.

Farmers, including Bashir Ahmed Butt, express fears that the railway expansion will lead to the destruction of apple orchards, undermining their primary source of income and lifestyle. The community’s attachment to their land is profound, with individuals like Abdul Rashid Ganie highlighting that no compensation can equitably replace the ancestral lands that support their families and future generations.

The controversy arrives at a challenging time for Kashmir’s apple industry, already grappling with issues like climate change, competitive imports, and logistical barriers. Stakeholders like Abdul Gani Reshi stress the need to protect the orchards for environmental sustainability and the economic welfare of the horticultural sector, which is crucial for around 2.3 million people in the region.

Local farmers are calling for a dialogue, urging the Indian government to reevaluate the railway project’s route to mitigate its impact on Kashmir’s vital apple orchards and consider the community’s interests.