Will Jammu become a dry region?

On 19^th of October this year SAC (State Administrative Council) in its meeting chaired by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha accorded its consent to the land act. Under this act people associated with agriculture can sell their land to non-agriculturists. It is claimed that after fulfilling this long-standing demand, the avenues of development and employment will open in Jammu and Kashmir. This claim is not different from the claims being made for the last seven years and especially during the last couple of years in Jammu and Kashmir. Agriculturally both regions Jammu as well as Kashmir of Jammu and Kashmir union territory are altogether different from the rest of the country. Agricultural activities in Kashmir are held only in summer and there is silence in the valley during winter because the land remains covered under a thick layer of snow for about five months. In Jammu region though agricultural activities take place through the year but there is a limited region where various types of crops are sown according to the season. Most of the parts of the region are either hilly or barren. Only a small portion of the region which is irrigated by the canals, constructed by the late Dogra rulers is cultivated. This portion of land is very sensitive as far as the condition of Jammu with regard to availability of water and greenery is concerned. Kathua, Samba, Jammu districts and a portion of Reasi, Rajouri and Udhampur districts also fall under the sensitive category. All the areas where agricultural activities take place include fields which are under the cultivation of vegetables and floriculture. This agricultural land not only meets the demand of vegetables and flowers of the Jammu but maintains the underground water level and also controls to some extent the temperature during the scorching heat of summer. Secondly this agricultural land is the only green spot in Jammu which is rapidly being converted into a jungle of concrete. There is vast land which is barren and is not fit for agriculture, could be used for any type of development activities being claimed to generate employment and economic revolution. This decision of the government will very soon convert Jammu into a dry zone and people will not only be deprived of fresh vegetables and flowers but also create drinking water crisis. The agricultural land which so far is maintaining underground water level and temperature if sold to non-agriculturists will be converted into a jungle of cement and iron. As such Jammu will in a few years come in the list of those states or regions where people have to struggle and even at many times have to face violent clashes for getting a bucket of clean drinking water.