29-kanal plantation hit by irrigation shortage since 2005 earthquake
Srinagar, July 3: To revive Kashmir’s only olive cultivation belt, the Horticulture Department is planning to draw water from the Jhelum River to irrigate the olive plantation at Salamabad in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Officials said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared for lifting river water to the plantation, which has suffered declining productivity over the years due to the absence of a reliable irrigation system.
They said the 29-kanal plantation, established under an Indo-Italian collaboration in 1987, has seen a steady fall in output as rainfall remains its sole source of moisture following the damage of its original water supply system in the 2005 earthquake.
“Since there is no irrigation facility in the area, we are exploring the possibility of using water from the Jhelum River. We will prepare a DPR and submit it to the higher authorities. Lifting water from the river is the only viable option available to restore irrigation to the plantation,” a senior Horticulture Department official told Rising Kashmir.
“The growth and productivity of olive trees have reduced considerably. Without a dependable source of irrigation, sustaining the plantation has become increasingly difficult,” another senior official said.
Officials said the plantation had access to a natural stream before the devastating 2005 earthquake. Water from the stream was stored in a tank and used to irrigate the orchard.
The department also explored alternative options. In 2024, the Irrigation Department inspected the site to assess the feasibility of developing a groundwater source.
“They had proposed digging a borewell, but the plan could not be implemented because of the area’s higher elevation, which makes groundwater extraction technically infeasible,” another official said.
The decline in irrigation has not only affected fruit production but has also impacted olive oil extraction, one of the key objectives of the plantation project.
Olive cultivation in Kashmir is unique to the Uri region, where the comparatively warmer climate and suitable soil conditions support the Mediterranean crop. The plantation was established in Salamabad in 1987 under an Indo-Italian collaboration after a British team conducted soil studies and identified the area as suitable for olive cultivation.
Local residents and growers have expressed concern over the future of the plantation, saying timely intervention is essential to preserve the valley’s only olive-growing region.
“Irrigation is the lifeline of olive cultivation. The trees require timely watering for healthy growth and better yields. Without a proper irrigation system, the plantation will continue to suffer,” said 80-year-old Azad Khan, a resident of Shadra village in Kamalkote area.
