Srinagar, A new railway line planned through the apple orchards of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir is posing a significant threat to the livelihoods of millions of local farmers who depend on apple cultivation. This development has sparked widespread concern and protest among the agricultural community.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the railway project, extending about 190 kilometers across the scenic valleys of the region, includes a section between Islamabad, Bijbehara, and Pahalgam that will directly impact numerous orchards. Farmers, such as Muhammad Shafi, face the prospect of losing their farms, which are crucial for their income and represent a substantial part of the local economy.

Apple farming is a cornerstone of the Kashmiri economy, supporting approximately 3.5 million people and contributing notably to the region’s GDP. The current plans have not only raised economic but also environmental concerns, with activists like Raja Muzaffar Butt warning of potential deforestation and ecological damage.

The implementation of the railway has been marked by tension, including land surveys conducted under police supervision, which have not included formal notices to the farmers. This has led to protests in various districts, including Shopian, where farmers are vehemently opposing the acquisition of their ancestral lands.

For many like Shafi, the project threatens not only their livelihood but also their heritage. The disruption caused by the railway construction has left many in the community grappling with the potential loss of their lands and the heritage associated with them. This situation highlights the ongoing struggles and the delicate balance between development and cultural preservation in Kashmir.