Hakeem opposes acquisition of agri land for NIT relocation in Pulwama

Srinagar, Dec 31: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Tuesday expressed resentment over the government’s plan to acquire 4,900 kanals of prime agricultural land in Newa, Pulwama for the relocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar. He termed the proposal as a “poorly conceived initiative” that poses threats to environmental sustainability and local livelihoods.
In a statement issued here, Yaseen criticised the administration’s decision, expressing concern over the destruction of fertile horticulture land in Pulwama district. “The move would have dire consequences for the agricultural sector and the livelihoods dependent on it. It would be the last nail in the coffin of Kashmir’s ecological balance,” he said.
The former minister said the existing NIT complex in Srinagar is adequate for the institute’s needs, saying that the fertile karewa lands earmarked for the new facility are vital for modern high-density horticulture activities. This land sustains hundreds of families’ livelihoods and must be preserved exclusively for agricultural purposes, he said.
Hakeem added, “The takeover of 4,900 kanals of land for the new NIT could severely disrupt agricultural activities, displace countless families and thrust them into economic hardship.”
The PDF chief urged the government to reconsider this decision in the broader interest of the Kashmiri people.
Highlighting the ecological importance of the Newa area, Yaseen echoed concerns raised by environmentalists about the area’s agricultural value and its critical role in maintaining the local ecosystem. He called on the government to reassess its priorities, saying the protection of cultivable land should take precedence over construction projects.
“The need for development cannot come at the expense of our agricultural resources and the livelihoods that depend on them,” he said, adding that the high unemployment rates currently plaguing Jammu and Kashmir. He said that marginalising the agricultural sector would only exacerbate these issues.
The former minister urged the administration to adopt a development model that preserves the region’s agricultural resources and ecological balance without sacrificing the livelihoods of its citizens. By doing so, the government could ensure growth while protecting the very foundations of the community’s economy, he added.