Investigation Launched
Arif Rashid
Budgam:- A wave of shock and grief has gripped Rangeen Kultreh area of Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district after unidentified miscreants chopped down over 3500 high-density apple trees, devastating the livelihoods of nearly 20 orchard-owning families.
The incident has sparked concern among growers, who said the large-scale destruction of the orchard has dealt a severe financial blow to the affected families.
According to one of the affected farmers, the incident came to light early Saturday morning when they were informed by a local resident that their orchards had been vandalized.
“We had been working in the orchard until around 8:30 pm on Friday, and everything was normal. Early in the morning, after offering Fajr prayers and returning home, we received a phone call informing us that the apple trees in our orchards had been cut down,” the farmer said.
He said that upon reaching the site, they discovered extensive damage in two high-density apple orchards. “Nearly 3,000 apple trees were cut down. Around 800 trees were damaged in one orchard, while approximately 2,200 trees were destroyed in another orchard,” he said.
The affected growers have appealed to the authorities to identify those responsible and ensure strict action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, a police official from Chadoora Police Station confirmed that a case has been registered in connection with the incident.
“An FIR, numbered 68/2026, has been registered at Police Station Chadoora, and further investigation into the matter is underway,” the official said.
The incident has sparked concern among local orchardists, who have termed it a major setback for the horticulture sector in the area.
