Kashmir apple farmers upset over India’s railway plans | (भारत की रेलवे योजनाओं से कश्मीर के सेब किसान नाराज़ – डीडब्ल्यू – 11/15/2024 )

Main Points In Hindi (मुख्य बातें – हिंदी में)

1. भूमि का सीमांकन और किसान की भावनाएँ: ग्रामीण कश्मीर की छात्रा मेहविश मुजफ्फर ने जब सुना कि उनके गांव में रेलवे लाइन के निर्माण के लिए बागों का सीमांकन किया जा रहा है, तो वह गहरी चिंता में आ गईं, जिससे वह बेहोश हो गईं। उनकी मां और आसपास के लोग अपने बागों की रक्षा के लिए एकत्र हुए।

2. आर्थिक संकट और स्थानीय आजीविका: दिलशादा, मेहविश की मां, ने बताया कि उनके बागान से सालाना 1,200,000 रुपये ($14,000, €13,500) की आय होती है, जो उनके परिवार के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है। करीब 300 परिवार इस क्षेत्र में सेब की खेती पर निर्भर हैं, और रेलवे विस्तार के कारण उनकी आजीविका संकट में पड़ सकती है।

3. सरकार की प्रतिक्रिया और स्थानीय चिंताएँ: स्थानीय अधिकारियों ने बताया कि वे बागों के नुकसान को कम करने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं, लेकिन किसानों का कहना है कि उन्हें सर्वेक्षण के बारे में पहले से सूचित नहीं किया गया था। कई किसान मुआवजे की तुलना में अपने बागों को बचाने के लिए अधिक चिंतित हैं।

4. परियोजना का निहितार्थ और पर्यावरणीय चिंताएँ: प्रस्तावित रेलवे का उद्देश्‍य कनेक्टिविटी और पर्यटन को बढ़ावा देना है, लेकिन इसे पर्यावरण और कृषि समुदाय के लिए विनाशकारी बताया जा रहा है। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि बागों को उखाड़ने से न केवल पर्यावरण को खतरा है, बल्कि यह कृषि पर आधारित आजीविका को भी नुकसान पहुंचाएगा।

5. किसानों का प्रतिरोध और वैकल्पिक मार्ग का प्रस्ताव: किसान रेलवे लाइन के विस्तार के खिलाफ विरोध दर्ज कराते हुए वैकल्पिक मार्ग का प्रस्ताव भी दे रहे हैं, जिससे उनकी उपजाऊ भूमि को बचाया जा सके। उन्होंने अपने बागों की रक्षा करने के लिए दृढ़ निश्चय व्यक्त किया है और उन्हें लगता है कि उनके बिना संघर्ष के सड़कों को नहीं बनने देना चाहिए।

Main Points In English(मुख्य बातें – अंग्रेज़ी में)

Here are 4 main points from the article:

1. Impact of Railway Construction on Local Agriculture: The construction of a new railway line in rural Kashmir threatens the apple orchards and agricultural land of local farmers, leading to significant economic distress. Affected families, including 300 households in the village of Resipora, depend on the income from apple cultivation for their livelihoods.

2. Lack of Consultation with Farmers: Farmers reported that they were not informed about the surveys for the railway construction and were surprised when surveyors appeared on their land. This lack of communication has heightened their concerns about the potential destruction of their orchards.

3. Government’s Commitment to Address Concerns: Local officials have stated their commitment to minimizing the impact on local livelihoods while asserting that the final alignment of the railway will be determined by the federal government. They acknowledge the need for economic development but face opposition from farmers who feel their needs are being overlooked.

4. Resistance and Alternative Proposals from Farmers: Farmers have voiced strong opposition to the railway expansion, fearing they will lose their land without fair compensation. They propose using less fertile land for the railway route to avoid damaging their orchards. Despite potential government compensation packages, many farmers assert that no amount of money can replace their ancestral land and the legacy it represents.

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Complete News In Hindi(पूरी खबर – हिंदी में)

Complete News In English(पूरी खबर – अंग्रेज़ी में)

In the spring of this year, as fruit began to grow in the orchards of rural Kashmir, high school student Mehwish Muzaffar was traveling to take an exam and checking her WhatsApp messages when she read that surveyors were in her home village, Resipora. They were marking apple orchards for the construction of a railway line that would connect the Kashmiri towns of Antipora and Shopian. She was so shocked by this news that she fainted.

Meanwhile, in the village, her mother, Dilshada Begum, and many neighbors rushed to protect the orchards they had been farming for years. Dilshada told DW that the land and orchards were their heritage and that they earn about 1.2 million rupees ($14,000, €13,500) annually from these orchards, which is essential for supporting their families.

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Dilshada and her sick husband have raised four daughters using income from their garden. They are not alone; around 300 families in Resipora own these orchards, and if the trees are uprooted for the railway expansion, the farmers will have nothing left.

Government’s Commitment to Address Residents’ Concerns

Apple farmers in the region claimed they were never informed about the surveys. Instead, people with drones and other equipment just showed up on their land. When questioned, they said they were researching a planned railway route through the Himalayan region.

Local official Nisar Ahmad Wani stated that efforts were being made to minimize the impact on local livelihoods as much as possible. He clarified that the final alignment of the railway will be decided by the federal government, but they are committed to addressing residents’ concerns.

Himanshu Shekhar, the chief public relations officer of Indian Railways, acknowledged that it was government orders that needed to be followed. He assured that the company executing the project is focused on minimizing tree felling and that while some trees may need to be removed, many will be replanted.

New Railway To Boost Economy and Tourism

In December 2023, India approved five new railway lines within Kashmir, including one from Avanti Pora to Shopian. This is part of a larger plan to improve traffic connectivity between Indian-controlled Kashmir and major Indian cities, including the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge.

Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw mentioned that improving connectivity and boosting tourism would benefit local communities and businesses. However, critics warn that the five proposed rail lines will affect 288 hectares (712 acres) of land, including fertile agricultural land, and this also applies to Shopian district.

This dense forest area is the heart of Kashmir’s apple production, providing jobs to around 3.5 million people and contributing over 8% to the region’s GDP. Farmer Mohammad Yusuf Reshi stated, "Shopian depends on apples; it would be better if they killed us first before moving forward with this project."

Apples Are Key to Kashmiri Economy

Environmental activist Raja Muzaffar warned that government plans would be disastrous for the environment and the regional economy. He noted that uprooting orchards endangers the environment and violates sustainable land use principles that India has committed to under various conventions.

Kashmir is facing a unemployment crisis, with an unemployment rate of nearly 25% recorded in July this year. For many locals, apple farming is the only reliable way to support themselves and their families.

For students like 27-year-old Azhar Wani, who is completing his master’s degree in economics, their family orchards are the last hope for a decent living. He expressed frustration that while jobs are scarce, their final option is being taken away.

Dispute Over the Future of the Region

Himanshu Shekhar from Indian Railways believes farmers should consider the economic benefits that come from the railway. He claimed that the company would provide adequate compensation, which could also include job offers as part of the compensation package.

He views this project as a boon for Kashmir’s tourism industry, suggesting that poor connectivity has resulted in fewer tourists. According to him, a railway line will open up economic prospects for future generations. However, many farmers refuse the idea of monetary compensation.

Dilshada asserted, "No compensation can replace what we have built over generations."

Farmers Proposed an Alternate Route

The community fears that once their land is taken, they won’t be able to reverse the situation. In April of this year, farmers wrapped themselves in white shrouds as a form of protest against the expansion.

Farmer Mohammad Yusuf Reshi said, "We heard that only a 300-foot portion of the orchard would be taken, then we heard it was 900 feet. It feels like we are being deceived."

Farmers have proposed an alternative route, suggesting that the government should use less fertile land nearby. However, Shekhar argued that the alternative would be much longer.

He stated, "If it were about 2-3 kilometers longer, we would consider it."

"This Land is All We Have"

Party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar mentioned that the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference, intends to ask the federal rail ministry to reconsider the proposed railway lines and involve all stakeholders in the discussion.

Ultimately, the final decision on the railway line’s route rests with India’s central government. Whatever the outcome, farmers are committed to protecting their apple orchards.

Dilshada looked at her garden and declared, "This land is all we have. We will not let it go without a fight."

Edited by: Darko Janzevic

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