Shopian, Dec 26: Aggrieved farmers from nearly a dozen villages in Pulwama and Shopian districts continued their protest on Thursday against the proposed 26-kilometre railway line between Kakapora in Pulwama and Kunsoo in Shopian, terming the project disastrous for livelihoods and the environment.
Members of the J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG), led by environmental activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, visited several affected villages and met protesting farmers to assess the ground situation. The delegation toured Babhar in Pulwama and Keegam, Check Niltrisal, Check Nazneenpora, Kunsoo and adjoining villages in Shopian, where railway authorities have reportedly demarcated land for the project.
Addressing media persons, Dr Bhat said the proposed railway line would pass through highly productive horticultural land, threatening apple orchards and other plantations that form the backbone of the local economy. “According to locals, nearly seven lakh apple and other fruit and non-fruit bearing trees will be cut along the 26-kilometre stretch. Fully grown apple trees, along with mulberry, walnut, chinar and willow trees, fall within the proposed alignment,” he said.
Dr Bhat warned that the project would not only affect livelihoods but also cause serious environmental damage, including loss of biodiversity and disruption of irrigation channels. He added that cement pillars had already been installed to demarcate the land, raising anxiety among farmers. Appealing to the government, he urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and take up the matter with the Union Railway Minister. “Instead of this railway line, the Srinagar–Pulwama–Shopian road should be widened further to ease traffic congestion,” he said.
Farmers who met the JKCAG delegation expressed distress and sought immediate government intervention. “Dozens of apple farmers are depressed and fearful about their future. They want the Chief Minister to step in,” Dr Bhat added.
The protesting farmers argued that Kakapora already has a functional railway station that adequately serves the region. They pointed out that the distance between Kakapora and Kunsoo is only about 20 kilometres, questioning the necessity of a new 26-kilometre rail line.
Farooq Ahmad Dar, an aggrieved farmer from Kunsoo, said the project was unacceptable in its current form. “Axing seven lakh trees for a short rail line is suicidal. We will fight this legally. It is unfortunate that elected representatives, especially the Minister of Horticulture and Agriculture, are silent on this issue,” he said. Dar demanded a proper social impact assessment, Halqa Majlis meetings and Gram Sabha consultations in all affected villages, alleging violations of land acquisition laws.
Senior JKCAG members Ajaz Sofi, Raja Aamir Khan and Dr Bilal Nabi also interacted with farmers during the visit and urged authorities to address their concerns and protect both livelihoods and the environment.
