Kashmir’s Orchards Under Attack
Bandipora 02 June 2025: In the peaceful hamlet of Gund Jahangir in Hajin, Bandipora, a brutal act of sabotage has shattered the rural calm. Dozens of apple trees—lifelines to nearly 20 families—were chopped down in the dead of night by unidentified miscreants. The calculated destruction of these fruit-laden trees is not just an attack on property—it’s a strike at the heart of Kashmir’s rural economy, identity, and generational legacy.
As Kashmir reels from climatic challenges, market instability, and lingering political uncertainty, this brazen act has exposed yet another vulnerability for its fragile agrarian communities.
“They Cut Down Our Lives”: Voices from the Ground
Muhammad Abdullah Sheikh: A Personal Tragedy
Standing in the ruins of his orchard, Muhammad Abdullah Sheikh’s face bore the sorrow of a father mourning a child. Nearly 50 apple trees—some decades old—lay in ruins. “It felt like my home was attacked. These trees were more than just wood and fruit—they were family,” he said, choking back tears.
Sheikh is one of the most severely affected orchardists. His voice, though pained, carried resilience as he praised the local administration’s immediate response. “The SDM, Tehsildar, SHO Hajin, and DySP arrived quickly. I’m grateful, but now we need justice,” he said.
Abdul Salam Parray: “Our Survival is at Stake”
Another affected grower, Abdul Salam Parray, called the act “an assault on survival.” For many like him, apple farming is not a side business—it’s the only business. “Each tree was an investment, a legacy, and our main source of income. The damage is immeasurable,” he said.
He fears copycat crimes or escalation unless action is swift and uncompromising.
Incident Breakdown: What Really Happened in Gund Jahangir?
The Night of Vandalism
The incident reportedly occurred overnight, when unknown assailants entered multiple orchards with axes and chopped down dozens of apple trees. The precise timing and coordinated nature suggest premeditation. Locals believe the attack was not random but targeted—possibly driven by land disputes, jealousy, or sabotage.
Scale of Destruction
Initial estimates reveal that over 100 trees across various farms were damaged or destroyed, with losses running into lakhs of rupees. Some trees were mature and on the verge of yielding peak produce—adding to the emotional and financial toll.
Geographic Spread
The incident took place primarily in Gund Jahangir, but the shockwaves have spread across the district. Neighboring villages are now on alert, fearing similar sabotage.
Who Could Be Behind This? Theories and Suspicions
1. Land Disputes Turned Malicious
In rural Kashmir, land disputes—especially over orchard boundaries—can simmer for years. Locals suspect that the act could be linked to personal enmity or a vendetta over unresolved land ownership claims.
2. Economic Rivalry
Some speculate this could be the work of competitors or business rivals, envious of the flourishing orchards in Gund Jahangir. By crippling productive farms, rivals could gain an upper hand in the tightly contested apple market.
3. Organized Vandalism
The methodical execution—targeting trees selectively, entering multiple properties, and leaving no trace—hints at organized involvement, not spontaneous vandalism.
4. Political or Sectarian Overtones?
While there’s no concrete evidence, some fear the act could have a political or communal motive, given the history of targeted violence in the region. The administration has not ruled out any angle.
Government Response: Prompt but Incomplete?
Site Visit and Investigation Launched
District officials, including the SDM, Tehsildar, and police officers from Hajin, visited the site within hours of the incident. The Bandipora police have filed a formal case and launched a probe. Investigators are interviewing residents and analyzing CCTV footage from nearby buildings, if available.
Promise of Action, But No Arrests Yet
Despite initial assurance, no suspects have been detained, and locals are growing impatient. “We appreciate the quick visit, but we need results,” said a village elder. “The trees are gone. If the culprits aren’t caught, what’s to stop them from returning?”
The Economic Fallout: Losses Beyond Numbers
1. Loss of Income for Entire Season
The immediate impact is clear: no harvest means no income for nearly 20 families this year. Many had already taken loans for fertilizer, labor, and transport, expecting a healthy return from the 2025 apple season.
2. Long-Term Financial Setback
Apple trees take 7–10 years to mature. Destroyed trees cannot be replaced overnight. This means a decade-long income vacuum for several farmers.
3. Psychological Trauma
The mental health impact is just as damaging. Orchardists now fear leaving their fields unattended. “We never imagined our trees would be cut in revenge,” said one young grower. “It’s like living under siege.”
The Call for Justice and Compensation
Demands from the Affected Community
Farmers and local leaders have submitted a memorandum to the district administration, demanding:
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Time-bound police investigation and arrest of culprits
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Financial compensation for damaged trees
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Long-term orchard insurance scheme for similar incidents
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Deployment of night-time patrolling in vulnerable orchard zones
Support from Civil Society
Several Kashmiri civil society groups have condemned the act. The Fruit Growers Association of Bandipora has also urged the government to treat this as agrarian sabotage, not just property damage.
Expert Take: An Attack on the Economy of Emotion
Agricultural Analyst Speaks
“Kashmiri horticulture isn’t just about apples—it’s about identity, family, and dignity,” says agrarian expert Dr. Asif Makhdoomi. “When someone chops down apple trees, they’re not just causing financial harm. They’re uprooting dreams.”
He advocates for state-sponsored horticultural insurance and community-based surveillance as long-term solutions.
Context: Kashmir’s Apple Industry — A Quick Snapshot
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Kashmir produces over 75% of India’s apples
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Over 3 million people are directly or indirectly employed by the sector
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Annual industry value: ₹10,000 crore (~$1.2 billion USD)
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Bandipora is emerging as a key apple-producing district due to its fertile plains and proximity to trade routes
An attack of this nature is not just a local crime—it is an assault on a pillar of Kashmir’s economy.
What This Incident Reveals About Rural Kashmir
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Rising Lawlessness in Hinterlands
Even in post-militancy zones, criminality is on the rise. This suggests a governance vacuum that needs urgent redress. -
Vulnerability of Farmers
Despite being economic contributors, orchardists remain unprotected. Their property is valuable but not well-guarded, insured, or politically prioritized. -
Need for Rural Surveillance and Land Digitization
Digital fencing, legal ownership mapping, and satellite monitoring could be vital in preventing such crimes.
What Needs to Happen Next: Solutions and Reforms
Short-Term
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Arrest the culprits swiftly
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Offer immediate compensation and trauma counseling
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Initiate night-time patrols in vulnerable villages
Mid-Term
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Establish a district-level Orchard Damage Compensation Fund
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Launch a helpline for orchard-related grievances and threats
Long-Term
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Legislate a “Horticulture Protection Act” for vulnerable zones
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Include orchard insurance in PM Fasal Bima Yojana
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Set up community-based orchard watch cooperatives
Conclusion: Axe in the Night, Echoes in the Day
The cutting down of apple trees in Gund Jahangir wasn’t just an act of vandalism—it was an assault on the soul of a community. The trees may have been silent victims, but their loss has echoed loudly across Kashmir. For a region already bearing the weight of conflict, trauma, and climate volatility, this act adds yet another scar.
But in the heartbreak lies an opportunity: to rethink, reinforce, and reimagine rural security and justice. Kashmir’s orchards are its lungs, its pride, and its promise. To protect them is to protect the Valley’s very future.
