Uttarakhand Government Bans Outsiders from Buying Agricultural Land

In a significant move following the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has approved a new land law restricting the sale of agricultural land to outsiders. The amended draft will be presented in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring that people from outside the state cannot purchase land for farming or horticulture in Devbhoomi.

Key Changes Introduced in the New Law

• The 2018 land law, introduced by the Rawat government, has been repealed.
• Outsiders will no longer be able to purchase agricultural or horticultural land in 11 districts of Uttarakhand, except for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.
• A new regulatory framework will be established for land ownership in hilly regions.
• District magistrates will not have the authority to approve land purchases.
• An online portal will be launched for land transactions to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent activities.
• Buyers from outside the state must provide an affidavit stating the purpose of land acquisition.
• The government retains the right to reclaim land if transactions violate the new regulations.

Decline in Agricultural Land

Due to the state’s challenging mountainous terrain, farming has always been a limited practice, mainly relying on step-farming techniques. However, the increasing conversion of fertile land into commercial properties, such as hotels and resorts, has led to a significant reduction in cultivable land. 

When Uttarakhand became a separate state, approximately 7.70 lakh hectares of land were used for farming. Over the past two decades, this has decreased to just 5.68 lakh hectares. Illegal land dealings, including cases in Tehri where agricultural land was converted into resorts by land mafias, have further worsened the situation.

Rising Concerns Among Locals

Since gaining statehood, local communities have been protesting against the large-scale acquisition of land by external investors. Many outsiders have reportedly acquired agricultural land through unethical means, using it for commercial projects, thereby depriving local farmers of their livelihood. 

Additionally, external businesses have been hiring labor from outside the state, sidelining the native workforce. This has led to growing resentment among the local population.

Surge in Migrant Population

Uttarakhand’s residents fear that if this trend continues, their demographic strength will decline in their own homeland. In recent years, the state has witnessed an alarming increase in migration from other states, further fueling concerns about land encroachment and demographic shifts.

Precedent in Other Hill States

Uttarakhand is not the only state implementing strict land ownership laws. Most hill states in India already have similar restrictions in place. In Himachal Pradesh, only permanent residents can purchase agricultural land, and outsiders must obtain special permissions, which is a challenging process. Similarly, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh have stringent laws preventing non-residents from acquiring land, ensuring that local communities retain control over their resources and preventing external exploitation.

With this new law, the Uttarakhand government aims to protect the state’s agricultural resources, preserve the rights of local farmers, and maintain demographic stability in the region.