With unabated construction of concrete residential colonies in several towns and cities in Kashmir Valley, it has been revealed that twenty percent of agricultural land has been converted into commercial and residential colonies. Meanwhile is being reported that with the squeeze of over twenty-eight lac kanals of land from last 50 years, the production level here has been badly decreased.
Unabated construction in Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir Valley has badly the agricultural land as multi-storied commercial complexes, residential houses and colonies have been set up there. Reports said land mafias and brokers are openly challenging the environment due to silent role of government and concerned departments. Sources said due to ineffectiveness of government institutions, twenty percent of agricultural land has been reduced in last six years where big multi-stories business complexes and residential colonies have been set up.
As per the economic survey report, it said seventy percent of population in Kashmir Valley is directly or indirectly dependent upon agriculture exercises. It also said during last ten years, over ten lac kanals of agricultural land has been converted into non-agricultural land.
Government record stated that in the year 2005-06, there were 8.47 lac hectare agricultural lands in Kashmir Valley but in the year of 2015-16 it has been reduced to 7.94 lac hectares.
Experts saying that it clearly vindicates that during the last ten years fifty-three thousand hectare agricultural area equivalent to 10 lac 60 thousand kanal, has been converted into non-agricultural area.
Government records revealed that in the year 2012, 1.58 thousand hectare land was specialized for production of several crops but during 2015-16 it has reduced to 1.41 thousand hectare area.
Report compiled by Department of Agriculture Kashmir in 2011 said that in Kashmir Valley two lac kanals of land have been used for commercial and residential purposes.
However economists have expressed its serious concern over the unabated conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural purposes. They said that conversion of agricultural area into non-agricultural area will bear negative results over the crop production in Kashmir Valley. Agricultural experts also expressed their concern, saying Jammu and Kashmir is producing 2085 kilo per hectare rice while border state Punjab is producing 3952 kilo per hectare.
Government records revealed that in the year 1952, when total population in Kashmir Valley was 18 lacs, there was 63 lac thousand hectare agricultural land available but it has reduced to 41 lac 740 hectare in the year 2012. It revealed that during the year 2003, 1 lac hectare land was fixed for popcorn production which got reduced to 80 thousand hectare land in 2012.
Economic survey report said that 70 percent population of Kashmir Valley is directly or indirectly dependent upon agricultural exercises. It stated that 85 percent labor was used in agricultural purposes in 1961 but right now the percentage has been reduced to 28.
Sources said that government erstwhile had constituted a high level committee to check the violation of Master-Plan 2009, which in its report pointed out that only in Srinagar district 2500 structures have been constructed illegally over agricultural land by top politicians, traders and bureaucrats. The committee in is report had said that government came under the pressure of influential personalities and hence the plan was left mid-way.
It is pertinent to mention here that High Court Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2012 has banned construction over agricultural land. Court directed all deputy commissioners to ensure the execution of Jammu and Kashmir Agricultural Act (JKAA) and Jammu & Kashmir Land Revenue Act (JKLRA) in letter and spirit.
However after 5 August, 2019 when New Delhi repealed Article 370 and 35A and divided state into two Union Territories (UT’s), land mafia has reactivated in Kashmir Valley by converting Agricultural land into commercial and residential purposes. Sources said that in Srinagar and other areas, illegal construction of shopping complexes, residential houses and other structures have been started unabated. Sources said that after abrogation of Article 370, these land mafias are taking undue advantage of the situation and are furthering their machinations. They said, amid uncertain situation since August 5, 2019, some elements have encroached into Dal, Wular, Anchar, Hokarsar and flood channel also. These elements as per sources are trying to occupy water bodies in broad day light. (kns)