In Kashmir's agricultural heartland, a story of transformation is unfolding - not of growth, but of loss. The development projects are taking over the cultivable and productive agriculture lands of people, who will be rendered landless and lose their livelihood.
The development projects being described as economically benefiting the people are cutting through traditional farmlands. The cultivable land is already scarce in Jammu and Kashmir because of geographical features which include snow-clad mountains and glaciers. Almost two-third of the population is dependent on agriculture and horticulture crops, which are cash-rich. Farmers and activists in Kashmir have raised serious concerns over government plans to construct satellite colonies along the Ring Road, fearing further loss of agricultural land. Already impacted by the Ring Road project, they warn that constructing satellite colonies could leave them without land to sustain their livelihoods.
Farmers say they have suffered significant losses due to ongoing road and highway projects.
(Multimedia: Numan Bhat)
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