Rapid urbanisation: Why lush Kashmir is losing its paddy fields and wetlands

Kashmir is losing its prime agricultural land and wetlands to rapid urbanisation and faulty land-use, according to a December 2016 state policy document on land use. Unplanned construction–and this includes residential colonies, factories, brick kilns, shopping complexes and other commercial infrastructure–has severely damaged the agricultural and ecological resources of the state, added the paper drawn up by the state’s revenue department.

Annually, Kashmir is losing an average 1,375 hectares of agricultural land–about the size of 1,527 football fields–according to an IndiaSpend analysis of government figures.

Land under paddy cultivation in Kashmir region shrank from 163,000 hectares in 1996 to 141,000 hectares in 2012–a loss of 22,000 hectares over 16 years, according to state records.
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Kulgam encounter: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed, one arrested

At least two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed and another arrested in an encounter with the security forces in the Khudwani village of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Khudwani area of Kulgam district yesterday following specific information about the presence of several terrorists.

The killed terrorists have been identified as Dawood Ahmed Ali and Shaiyar Ahmed Wani. The arrested terrorist has been identified as Arief Sofi.

Two weapons were also recovered - one AK47 and one INSAS rifle.
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