New Delhi: Protests have erupted in parts of Jammu and Kashmir against the proposed construction of a railway line, with residents voicing strong opposition to the cutting of apple orchards. The agitation has been termed the Chipko Movement, as locals say apple trees are central to their identity, pride, and economic survival. The protests are being spearheaded in the districts of Pulwama and Shopian, which together form one of Kashmir’s most prominent apple-producing regions.
Videos circulating on social media show men and women hugging apple trees and standing guard over orchards, expressing concern over their possible destruction. For thousands of families in south Kashmir, apple cultivation is not merely an occupation but a generational livelihood passed down over decades. Farmers say the orchards sustain local economies, support allied sectors such as transport and cold storage, and provide seasonal employment to large sections of the population.
Protestors flag serious long-term effects of deforestation
Protesters argue that the felling of mature apple trees would cause irreversible economic damage, as new saplings take several years to yield commercial produce. They fear that compensation, if provided, will not offset long-term income losses, ecological damage, and the erosion of traditional farming practices. Many farmers have stressed that apple orchards are deeply intertwined with Kashmir’s cultural identity and social stability.
Locals have also criticised authorities for not consulting orchard owners and farmers before finalising the project. They insist that development must be participatory and environmentally sustainable, rather than imposed at the cost of livelihoods.
The Mehbooba connection
In March 2024, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urged the administration to involve a panel of environmental experts to assess the ecological impact of proposed railway projects in Kashmir. She raised concerns over the Awantipora–Shopian railway line, warning that it would pass through extensive apple orchards and cause long-term harm to the region’s fragile ecology and agrarian economy.
Farmers have described the current agitation as Chipko Movement 2.0, echoing the historic environmental movement.
“We will not surrender our farms. Farmers from #Pulwama and #Shopian are standing firm, hugging their apple trees and protecting their orchards from being cut down to make way for an unnecessary railway line. This is a fight to protect livelihoods, land, identity, and the future of Kashmir. Save farms,” a post read.