Abujhmad, a region in India's Narayanpur district, has seen its first land survey in decades, bringing hope to residents who have long been denied formal land rights.
The survey, which began in Konge village, is part of a broader effort by the revenue department to include a larger part of Abujhmad in the state's revenue map.
For many villagers, it was the first time they had witnessed a formal revenue survey of their land since Independence.
The exercise marks the beginning of a process that could eventually give thousands of residents officially recorded land holdings and place large parts of Abujhmad on the state's revenue map for the first time.
According to officials, the survey in Konge is part of a broader effort by the revenue department to include a larger part of Abujhmad in Narayanpur district.
Of the total 419 revenue villages, 173 villages are being surveyed while residents in 246 villages have been informed that the survey will be conducted soon.
Revenue officials said conducting the survey in Abujhmad requires more than technical expertise.
"The support of local representatives and traditional leaders is crucial as members of the tribal community listen to them and they help us explain the process and its benefits to villagers," said Ejaz Hashmi, tehsildar and nodal in-charge of the survey.
Hashmi said that some villagers agree to participate after two or three meetings, while others seek a month or more to discuss the proposal among themselves.
"They are apprehensive about losing their land and right to cultivate. Some fear their land will be taken over for mining," said a senior revenue official.
However, the administration is seeing a demonstration effect, with villages becoming more willing to participate after seeing neighbouring settlements complete the exercise.
According to officials, the survey in Abujhmad aims to provide legal recognition of land rights to local residents.
Upon completion, occupants of revenue land will receive formal land ownership records / patta and title documents, while eligible forest dwellers will be granted Individual Forest Rights titles, Community Forest Rights, and Community Forest Resource Rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Claims by families returning after years of displacement will be verified through a transparent process based on the recommendations of Gram Sabhas, ensuring that genuine claimants receive their rights while preventing encroachment or land grabbing by outsiders.
The collector said that the ongoing revenue survey in Abujhmad aims to provide land tenure security and greater access to government schemes and institutional support, including PM-Kisan, Kisan Credit Cards, agricultural loans, and other development benefits.
