The state of Uttarakhand has officially enforced a stringent new land law that significantly restricts the sale of agricultural and horticultural land to non-residents. The law came into effect after Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh gave his assent, as confirmed by a government statement released on Thursday evening.
The new legislation, titled the Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950) (Amendment) Act, 2025, was passed by the state assembly and cabinet in February. It marks a decisive step by the state government to control land transactions and align with local sentiments against the unchecked sale of farmland to outsiders.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called the law a preventive measure aimed at safeguarding the state’s demographic and cultural landscape. “With this law, the uncontrolled sale of agricultural and horticultural land in Uttarakhand has been completely banned. For residential, educational, hospital, hotel, or industrial purposes, individuals from other states will now have to comply with a rigorous approval process,” he stated.
Dhami emphasized that the law is designed to prevent any attempts at demographic alteration. “The implementation of this strict land law will curb attempts to alter the state’s demographic composition,” he said, adding that violators of the Land Act are being prosecuted, and the land acquired illegally is being transferred to the state through a focused campaign.
Under the amended law, non-residents are allowed to purchase only up to 250 square metres of residential land, and only one plot per family is permitted. Additionally, all land purchases must align with approved land use plans. If the land is used against the prescribed norms, ownership will be forfeited to the government.
While most of the state is covered by the new restrictions, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar have been given limited exemptions. In these districts, land transactions involving outsiders will require state-level approval instead of district-level clearances.
District magistrates across the state are now required to submit detailed reports of land transactions to the state revenue council and government. This move is intended to ensure full transparency and enforcement of the amended law.
The government asserts that this landmark legislation will help preserve the unique identity, environment, and demographic balance of Uttarakhand, which has seen increasing land demand from outside the state in recent years.
