Srinagar, Oct 11 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday raised concerns over the opening up of agricultural land and orchards in Jammu and Kashmir for commercial high-rise construction, warning that such development could threaten food security and expose people to serious seismic risks.

In a post on X, the former chief minister questioned the government's development approach, alleging that agricultural and horticultural land was being made available for commercial construction despite warnings about earthquake-related hazards.

“In the name of development, J&K’s orchards and agricultural land are being opened up for commercial high rises, even as experts warn of catastrophic seismic and liquefaction risks,” Mehbooba said.

She described the alleged changes as a threat not only to the region's agricultural resources but also to the safety of people living in areas vulnerable to natural disasters.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“This is not development. It is a dangerous betrayal of our land, our food security and our people’s lives,” she said.

The PDP president also questioned accountability in the event of a disaster arising from construction in vulnerable areas.

“Who will take responsibility when this reckless experiment turns into a disaster?” she asked.

Her remarks come amid criticism of changes to building and land-use regulations in Jammu and Kashmir, with opposition leaders questioning their implications for urban planning, agricultural land protection and environmental safety.

However, Mehbooba did not identify specific projects or provide details of the expert assessments referred to in her post. Her claims regarding the extent of land opened for commercial construction remain unverified. (KNS)