Kashmiri Farmers and Activists Urge Against Land Acquisition for Satellite Townships

SRINAGAR: A delegation of farmers and activists met with the Chief Minister’s Political Advisor on Monday to express concerns over the government’s plans to establish satellite townships along the Srinagar Ring Road project, spanning from Pampore to Narbal. The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s grievance redressal office, Raabta.

Led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Ghulam Ahmad Paul, Ali Mohammad Wani, Muzaffar Hussain, and others, the delegation raised alarms about the detrimental impact of further land acquisition on farmers’ livelihoods and the region’s fragile environment.

The farmers noted that they are still reeling from the effects of the initial land acquisition by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Srinagar Semi Ring Road project. Large portions of agricultural land were taken for the construction of the road from Pampore Galandar to Narbal, with many farmers asserting they were inadequately compensated.

In a memorandum submitted through the Raabta office, the delegation voiced outrage over additional notifications issued by the Divisional Commissioner’s office in 2022 and a recent directive from the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board (Order No: HB/CLA/130-38, dated October 9, 2024). These orders propose the development of satellite colonies in Pampore, Chadoora, and Budgam tehsils, endangering agricultural land and natural resources, including rivers and karewas.

“Our remaining land will be seized by the Housing Board, leaving us landless,” the memorandum stated, emphasizing that Kashmir Valley already has the lowest agricultural landholding in India, with an average of less than four kanals per family.

The delegation urged the government to reconsider these plans to safeguard the livelihoods of farming families and the region’s environmental sustainability.

Farmers and activists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are staging protests against the construction of satellite colonies along the Srinagar Ring Road. They claim the project aims to establish settlements for non-locals, posing a significant threat to the region’s agricultural land and livelihood.

The Indian government’s plan to use the Srinagar Ring Road for building colonies for non-local residents is seen as a blatant violation of international legal principles. The project involves seizing fertile agricultural land from local Kashmiris, further marginalizing their economic stability.

Farmers in IIOJK have already endured substantial losses due to illegal expansions for settler colonies and military purposes. This project adds to the concerns, as a large portion of agricultural land, particularly in Budgam district, is being acquired. Over 5,000 kanals of fertile land have been confiscated, directly impacting the livelihood of thousands of families.

Despite the repeal of Article 370 and the introduction of the “Right to Fair Compensation” law, farmers are receiving compensation far below the market value. Current payments stand at ₹4.5 million per kanal, whereas the actual market rate exceeds ₹10 million per kanal.

The project disregards Srinagar’s master plan, which mandates 20% green space preservation for environmental sustainability. Only 2% of green spaces are being conserved, primarily benefiting non-local settlers. Analysts warn that at the current rate of land acquisition, Kashmir may face severe ecological and land loss crises by 2035.

With one of the highest unemployment rates in India, the region’s economy is already under pressure. Activists view these policies as part of a broader agenda of economic colonization, systematically depriving locals of their limited resources.

Farmers and activists continue to demand the immediate cessation of these policies. They emphasize the need to protect Kashmir’s diminishing agricultural land, which is vital for the survival of local communities and the preservation of the region’s fragile ecosystem.

The project, activists argue, violates United Nations mandates and constitutes an illegal attempt to alter the demography and geography of an occupied territory, posing serious questions about India’s adherence to international law.

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