Suhail Bhat
PAMPORE, Nov 14: Despite laws like Saffron Act 2007, Government has failed to stop the unabated conversion of Saffron land into commercial and residential establishments in South Kashmir’s Pampore town.
Unscrupulous elements at Saffron Town, Pampore, are busy in turning the Saffron land at places like Saffron Colony, Kadlabal, Konibal and Chandhara- into residential colonies.
Prior to 2007 when Government was yet to introduce its ambitious Saffron Mission, 5100 hectares of land was under Saffron cultivation which has now reduced to 3715 hectares owing to unregulated urbanisation and Government’s inability to save the Saffron land.
As the land cover decreased the Saffron production showed a drastic decline and this year, as per farmers, there was 60 percent drop in production. Experts explained that the unplanned and unregulated construction was ruining the crop and if Government would be unable to put a check to the concretization of Saffron field they might lose the crop.
“You would not find this crop elsewhere in India. It grows at selected places as it requires specific climatic conditions. It’s not only about land but the micro-environmental conditions which helps it grow. It’s a special crop and needs special policies,” said an Agricultural Officer.
Locals blamed the Government for turning the Saffron fields into residential colonies and asked how they can stop the construction when they themselves are constructing buildings on the Saffron land. “The newly allotted Degree College, Spice Park and some others buildings had been constructed on the Saffron land”, they said.
The locals alleged that the ban on the construction is only for minting money. “I have never seen demolition of any house or commercial establishment which was built on Saffron land. The officials receive money and let this happen. Look at Saffron colony, there are houses everywhere,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a local resident.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Muneer-ul- Islam, said unscrupulous people were cashing out on the ongoing unrest by performing all illegal works and illegal construction on Saffron fields.
“People are taking advantages of the unrest and raising their commercial or residential establishments, illegally. Recently we held a meeting of two tehsils along with police officials and once situation eases a bit people will be held accountable,” he said.
The DC said that presently it’s happening all because of lawlessness as police is busy in tackling unrest.
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