Srinagar, June 20 -- Past the switchbacks of Sonamarg, where the Nallah Sindh cuts through pine and pasture, lies Gund. This captive countryside looks peaceful with orchards, farms, and the hush of alpine life.

But behind the meditative landscape is a slow unraveling no one can ignore anymore.

Gund, part of Ganderbal district, sits in a stunning pocket of Kashmir. Glacial streams water its edges, and the air stays crisp long into spring. This place could feed families, grow rare herbs, and bring visitors closer to the earth. It has all the right ingredients for sustainable farming.

But each year, more land lies unused. More young men leave. And slowly, concrete begins to win.

You may wonder: why does this matter?

Because in places li...