Strict Land Laws in Uttarakhand

• 27 Dec 2023

Why in News?

The Uttarakhand government is likely to implement stringent land laws, making it challenging for non-natives to buy land and own houses in the rural areas of the state's hills.

Key Points

• The proposed law, influenced by the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 aims to safeguard the interests of the state by limiting land acquisition in rural hill areas.
• In 2003, outsiders were allowed to purchase land in hilly areas, but with a limit of 500 sqm.
  • Subsequent governments reduced this limit to 250 sqm to prevent large-scale land transactions.
• In 2017, the then Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat lifted these restrictions to attract investments in hilly regions.
• Due to protests in various districts, the state government formed a five-member committee to study a draft report submitted by a panel headed by ex-chief secretary in 2022.
  • The report recommends capping land purchases in urban areas, addressing concerns about outside investors exploiting the state's resources which may lead to a reinstatement of the 12.5-acre limit for land transactions in the hills.
  • However, residents are advocating for stricter measures, including the limit for municipal areas to 250 sqm and imposing a complete ban on rural land sales.