ABVP opposes Himachal govt’s decision to transfer 100 hectares of Palampur agricultural university land for setting up ‘tourism village’

TNR Desk

DHARAMSHALA: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has opposed the Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to transfer 100 hectares of land belonging to CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV) to the state Tourism Department for the construction of a “tourism village”.

The move has sparked protests from the student organisation, citing concerns over the implications for agricultural research and education. The CSKHPKV, a leading agricultural university in the region, has played a pivotal role in agricultural research and education in the region. The Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to transfer a portion of the university’s land to the Tourism Department was against the interests of agricultural research, said Abhay Verma, ABVP’s university unit president, questioning the rationale behind the move.

The ABVP leader argued that the land in question was crucial for the university’s ongoing agricultural research projects, and any diversion of these resources to the Tourism Department could hamper the institution’s ability to fulfil its core objectives. “Agricultural education and research should be prioritised over tourism-centric initiatives, especially considering the agricultural challenges faced by the state,” he said in a statement.
The ABVP has initiated a campaign against the government’s decision, organising protests and engaging with students and stakeholders to garner support. The organisation is urging the government to reconsider the move and engage in a transparent dialogue with stakeholders, including students and faculty of CSKHPKV.

ABVP national secretary Rahul Rana along with other representatives on Monday met former Chief Minister and Union Minister Shanta Kumar to submit memorandum regarding the issue. The ABVP also highlighted the long-standing demand for a permanent campus of HP Central University in Dharamshala. Despite assurances and initiation of work at the Dehra campus, construction on the Dharamshala campus remained stalled due to the state government’s failure to deposit Rs 30 crore with the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife, they said. The ABVP expressed concern about the future of students if the issue was not addressed swiftly.
The government, meanwhile, has defended the decision, stating that the transfer of land was part of a larger initiative to boost tourism in the state.