Shopian Apple Growers Fear Loss of Livelihood Due to Railway Expansion

Shopian, The quiet village of Reshipora in Shopian is facing a significant upheaval as the Indian government’s railway expansion project threatens the livelihood of its residents. The village, heavily reliant on apple cultivation, stands to lose a considerable portion of its orchards to the proposed railway track, sparking widespread concern and protests among the local farming community.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the railway expansion, including the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link and new lines in the Kashmir region, aims to enhance connectivity but has unintended consequences for Shopian’s apple growers. Over 85 percent of the district’s population depends on the apple industry, and the construction threatens to dismantle a vital economic pillar for the area.

The planned railway route through Reshipora has alarmed villagers, prompting them to urge the government to reconsider the project’s alignment to preserve their orchards. Abdul Ghani Reshi, a local apple grower, voiced the community’s anxiety, noting the potential loss of 75 to 85 percent of residents’ farms. Recent demarcation activities by railway officials have heightened these fears, leading to protests against the land acquisition process.

Muzaffar Ahmad Malik, another affected farmer, shared his personal ordeal, highlighting the decades of effort invested in nurturing his orchard, now marked for demolition. The railway project, while part of broader infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir, has thus ignited a struggle between progress and preservation, with Shopian’s farmers at the heart of the conflict.

The situation in Reshipora underscores the delicate balance between development and the sustenance of local communities, particularly in regions where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy.