Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 26: The J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG) today warned that the proposed 26-km railway line between Kakapora in Pulwama and Kunsoo in Shopian could destroy highly productive apple orchards and other horticultural land.
As farmers from nearly a dozen villages continue to protest the project, a JKCAG team led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat visited several affected villages in Pulwama and Shopian, where land has already been demarcated for the proposed alignment.
As per a statement issued here, Dr. Bhat said the project would have far-reaching ecological and economic consequences.
“Almost 7 lakh apple and other fruit- and non-fruit-bearing trees in the 26-km area between Kakapora in Pulwama and Kunsoo in Shopian would be cut down, as per locals. This will be disastrous, as we found fully grown apple trees coming under the alignment of this railway line,” he said.
He added that the railway authorities have already installed cement pillars to mark the land, and many trees, including mulberries, walnuts, chinars, and willows, fall under the proposed alignment.
“It would also choke dozens of irrigation channels in the area,” he said.
Dr. Bhat appealed to the Chief Minister to take up the issue with the Union Railway Minister to prevent the project from moving forward.
The post Pulwama-Shopian Rail to destroy apple orchards: JKCAG appeared first on Daily Excelsior.