Land Reforms and Record Management in Tribal Areas: Pertaining Issues and Prospects

Abstract

Land policy has long been the subject of animated debate both in India and around the world. Though much have been discussed on land policy and administration, the concurrent debate on land administration and management in India has invited wide attention of policy makers, administrators, researchers and academia, particularly during the era of liberalization and globalization. While it is well known fact that the land is the pre-requisite resource for survival of living-beings, the development of society is nevertheless based on the basic ingredient as land. Therefore, land administration undoubtedly the most crucial aspects of any administrative mechanism. . Going back to the land policy and administration during king dynasties and British administration in India it can safely be stated that the origin of land administration was the basis of collecting land revenues which was primary income source for the state and the rulers. However, this concept may vary in present land administration but the basis of economic generation stands upon land and effective land administration. In addition, the livelihood mechanism of millions of people surrounding directly on their landholding depends on the proper administration of land. Having said this, it is the primary duty of any government under state or the nation to design a strategy for better administration while providing adequate security to the weaker sections mainly in tribal and rural belts in India.Over the years, the tribals are considered as the most vulnerable communities and facing different kind of issues with regard to land resources. Numerous instances of land alienation in tribal areas due to development of industries in the region, illegal transfer of land to non-tribals, and other forms of litigations are taking place. But the question arises why despite of government policies on land reforms with special reference to scheduled areas land alienation act have become failure‘ Where is gap in our protective measures‘ Have we really tried to understand and take initiative actions on the basic issues pertaining to land‘ These are some of the questions need to be answered and debated. In view of above, the paper is an attempt to understand the issues from socio-economic and policy dimensions of land management issues in the tribal regions. Further, there is an effort in the paper to focus on the general scenario of land record management, related issues and initiatives required in tribal region.