Almora: Most of the hilly areas in the state are getting deserted because of migration of people lacking at education, employment and medical facilities. While, people coming from different places have been purchasing their vacant lands at the nominal prices, taking advantage of the existing weak land laws in the state.
In the past few years, unabated purchase of land by outsiders made the locals almost landless in most of the areas. Recently, this matter got highlighted when Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee purchased a piece of land in Kapkot of Almora district in 2021 to develop a yoga and meditation centre within two years but no development could take place till now.
Brought lands in the name of agriculture and horticulture
For two decades, local leaders and administrators facilitated this practice. Now, the administration is preparing to file cases by issuing notices to those who purchased land against the rules. So far, cases involving more than 700 Nali land have surfaced. Most of the purchasers acquired valuable land under the pretext of agriculture and horticulture in the tourist hill areas. Many capitalists secured large acreages on lease. However, to date, no agricultural or horticultural activities have been conducted on these lands.
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Flexibility in land laws in 2003 paved the way for extensive buying and selling of lands
The land laws introduced in 2003 opened the door for outsiders to purchase land in Uttarakhand. Over the past two decades, there has been a surge of such acquisitions. Capitalists, politicians, administrators, and Bollywood stars have all eyed the lands in the tourist areas. This led to extensive buying and selling of land. As a result, areas like Ranikhet, Majkhali, Dwarahat, Lamgara, Kasardevi, Binsar, Manila, and Marchula, the lands once owned by locals are now occupied by outsiders. Many have already built hotels and resorts, while others are planning to do so. According to Alok Kumar Pandey, District Magistrate, Almora, “We are taking action against those who purchased land violating the rules.”
Violation of land laws in the state by outsiders
According to existing land laws in the state, outsiders who purchase land for industrial purposes must develop the necessary infrastructure within a specified timeframe. However, many buyers have simply constructed bungalows and left them, failing to carry out the intended industrial projects. This practice has persisted for the last 20 years.
Almora district is number one in the state in terms of migration
Since the Uttarakhand came into being in 2000, migration in Almora district didn’t stop but increased rapidly. The district is number one in the state in terms of migration. Over the past 15 years, 59 villages and hamlets in Almora have been entirely abandoned. Due to the lack of facilities, 5,926 people from 1,407 villages across 11 blocks have permanently migrated. Additionally, 54,519 people have temporarily left 1,090 villages in these 11 blocks.
