Anger is simmering among farmers of the Kumaon region after the Uttarakhand government decided to give away 4.4 acres of Ramgarh orchards situated nearNainitalthat span across 165 acres, once famous for its peach, plum, avocado, and apple cultivation, to the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL). SIDCUL will allegedly set up hotels, wellness centres, and industrial units in the area.
According to the locals, the government’s order on the matter was issued nearly three months ago, but locals started opposing it earlier this month.
The farmers’ protest in Nainital marked its 22nd day on Sunday, under the banner’Save Orchards Association'(Udyaan Bachao Samiti).
Uttarakhand has around 94 government gardens and orchards but they are affected by various issues including scarcity of Irrigation water, animal attacks, agro-climatic issues, Urbanisation, etc., according to experts