Uttarakhand assembly passes bill to restrict outsiders from buying agricultural land

In a move aimed at preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of Uttarakhand, the state assembly passed an amendment to its land law on Friday, significantly restricting the purchase of agricultural and horticultural land by non-residents.

The Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950) Amendment Bill, 2025, effectively prohibits outsiders from buying such land in 11 of the state’s 13 districts. However, the restrictions will not apply in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, where land sales will now require direct approval from the state government rather than district-level authorities.

The revised law permits non-residents to purchase up to 250 square meters of land for residential purposes, but they must submit an affidavit affirming that neither they nor their family have acquired similar land elsewhere in the state. Additionally, the amendment removes an earlier provision that allowed the transfer of more than 12.5 acres of surplus land for purposes such as tourism, industry, and agriculture.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised the necessity of the amendment, citing data from 2018 onwards, which showed 1,883 land transactions approved for activities like industrial development, tourism, education, healthcare, and agriculture. However, 599 cases were found to have violated land-use regulations, leading to legal proceedings against 572 transactions.

As a result, 9.4 hectares of land have been reclaimed by the government.

Speaking after the bill's passage, Dhami stressed the importance of strict land regulations to safeguard Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage, ensure environmental and economic balance, and protect the rights of local residents. The new law is expected to curb unauthorised land deals while maintaining the state’s traditional identity as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods).