SRINAGAR: Thousands of hectors of saffron land in Pulwama district have been converted into residential plots and the relentless digging, cutting and extraction of earth from saffron rich fields having highest percentage yield was continuing unabated under the very nose of the authorities who are supposed to stop such vandalization.
Saffron fields of Gallender, Namlabal, Chandhara, Letipora, Dusoo, Wuyan and Balhama are depleting fast as connivance between Revenue officials and the land mafia are taking its toll.
Thousands of crores are pumped to target the farmers for improving the productivity for increasing their economy under National Saffron Mission. But the industry has an uphill task to survive the onslaught of land mafia in absence of a concrete policy of protecting and conserving saffron fields from converting illegally into plots for raising construction/buildings.
The digging and extraction of earth from saffron fields render the adjacent lands ineffective for saffron cultivation and as such a cause of concern for growers who have been appealing time and again the higher authorities for impressing upon the concerned local official to stop infraction and violation of rules so that protection is given to saffron land business, which is a source of livelihood for tens of thousands who solely depend on the trade from extinction.
Unfortunately no concrete step has been initiated so far to put to naught saffron fields from vandalizing and the mafia is encouraged to continue their misadventure.
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