Kashmiris Fear Loss of Agricultural Land Amid New Indian Projects, Reports Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reports that Kashmiris are facing the threat of losing their vital agricultural land as New Delhi pushes forward with large-scale infrastructure projects in the region.

According to Al Jazeera, people in Jammu and Kashmir (Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir) are increasingly concerned about losing their agricultural land, which is critical to their livelihoods, as India rolls out a series of infrastructure projects. These developments include roads, railways, and residential complexes that threaten to displace thousands of local farmers.

One example highlighted by Al Jazeera is the Indian government’s decision to build an engineering college in Pulwama. The project would acquire nearly all of Malik Haroon’s 1.25 acres of orchard land, which yields nearly 30 tonnes of fruit annually. Haroon’s farm supports his family, making it an essential source of income.

Haroon, along with many other farmers, fears the consequences of such land acquisitions. His case is not isolated, as nearly 4 million people in IIOJK rely on agriculture to survive. This decision follows the controversial 2019 revocation of Article 370, which stripped IIOJK of its special status, exacerbating concerns about economic security in the region.

Al Jazeera reports that since the revocation of Article 370, Indian authorities have authorized several mega infrastructure projects, including roads, tunnels, and railways. Critics argue that these initiatives threaten not only agricultural livelihoods but also the region’s fragile environment. Locals accuse the government of bypassing their interests, making decisions without consultation or proper compensation.

Ghulam Muhammad Tantray, a 65-year-old orchard owner from Dirhama in Anantnag, is another example. His orchard, which brings in about $13,000 annually, has helped his family withstand the region’s unemployment crisis. However, he became alarmed when Indian railway officials arrived last year to survey the land for new railway tracks. A railway station is set to be built on Tantray’s property, endangering his family’s main source of income.

The construction of a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Pulwama has further escalated tensions. Al Jazeera reports that the government plans to acquire 600 acres of land, mostly prime agricultural and horticultural land, to build the institute. Haroon, whose land would be affected by the project, emphasizes that the land is essential to the livelihoods of the people in his village. He says, “This land is our lifeline.”

Additionally, the government’s plan to expand the railway network in IIOJK, which has only one existing line, could further disrupt local farming. The proposal includes five new railway lines, which will cross vast agricultural lands, destroying apple orchards and other vital plantations. One new line will even cut through Dirhama, where a railway station will be built, displacing many farmers.

Tantray and other villagers have protested, asking the government to reconsider the location of the railway station. They argue that they were never consulted about the project, and it threatens their family inheritance, which has provided for generations.

Some residents, like Haroon, also worry that these projects have military implications. He suggests that the 600-acre land acquisition for the NIT may be part of efforts to expand the military presence in the region. This concern has been echoed by others who fear that these developments will change the region’s demographic makeup.

Al Jazeera reports that activists argue these projects are designed to disrupt the local economy and divide communities. They claim that the infrastructure plans are not meant to address the needs of Kashmiris but to alter the landscape for strategic purposes.

Finally, Al Jazeera highlights concerns over the compensation process for these land acquisitions. Activists claim that many landowners are being compensated under an outdated 1990 law, which they argue is insufficient. The Right to Fair Compensation Act of 2013, which promises better compensation, should be applied to ensure fair treatment for landowners, according to environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat.

Al Jazeera reports that Kashmiris face an uncertain future as New Delhi presses forward with infrastructure projects that threaten their homes, livelihoods, and the region’s fragile identity.