Sheep Husbandry department turns down army’s offer to buy land at Tapper

Srinagar: Sheep Husbandry Department has turned down the army’s offer to purchase 129 kanals of land in the Pattan area of Baramulla district.

On Friday, The Kashmir Monitor broke the story about the army’s intention to purchase land in the valley post abrogation of Article 370.

On May 26, the 19 infantry Division Ordinance Unit of Army had sent a letter of interest to the Department of Sheep Husbandry for purchasing 129 kanals of land at Tapperwari village in Pattan. The army had requested the government to reply by May 30.

Director Sheep Husbandry Department, Abdul Salam Mir told The Kashmir Monitor that the patch of land is being used to produce fodder for its farm animals.

“This land belongs to the department and there is no question of selling it to the army. The patch of land produces grass worth Rs 20 lakh annually, which suffices the fodder requirement of more than 10 sheep farms,” he said.

Locals of Tapperwari village also urged the government not to sell the land to the army.

Pertinently, the central government last year informed that over 56,000 acres of land in Jammu and Kashmir is with different defence departments, wings, and organizations. 

Out of 56,000 acres, 18935.474 acres are used by forces in Jammu, 3737.845 acres in Srinagar, 2326.644 acres in Budgam, 2152.83 acres in Anantnag, 3963.03 acres in Udhampur, and 3529.871 acres in Kargil districts.