How Did we Save Tosa Maidan From Army and Gave it Back to People
Lubna Syed Qadri
July 02
Tosa Maidan is a high plateau (a 'marg' as in 'Gulmarg') and a splendid meadow in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. It falls in the Sukhnag range of Pir Panchal range of the Himalayan Mountains and lies at an altitude of 10,500 feet above mean sea level. It is located about 51 kilometres away from the soul of the valley - Lalchowk, Jammu & Kashmir.
Background
TosaMaidan has served as grazing land for the villagers’ livestock over centuries. However, in the year 1964, it was leased to troops of the Indian Army as a firing range for conducting artillery training. The military exercise came at a huge human and environmental cost. The firing range became a death trap for the cattle grazing communities such as Gujjars and Bakkarwals, Chopans and othe...