Now, outsiders can’t buy farm land in 11 of 13 Uttarakhand districts

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) has approved the Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Management Act, 1950) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which restricts people of other states from buying agricultural land in 11 out of 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are the two districts which do not come under the ambit of the law.
On Thursday evening, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X to confirm the development.
During the budget session, the bill was tabled in the assembly on Feb 20 and it was passed the next day. The law states: "It shall extend to the whole of Uttarakhand, except areas included and to be included from time to time in any municipal corporations, nagar panchayats, nagar palikas and cantonment boards. It shall come into force immediately."
Under the law, an individual from another state planning to buy land must submit an affidavit to the sub-registrar confirming that neither he nor his family has purchased more than 250 sqm of land elsewhere in Uttarakhand for residential purposes. If a buyer fails to use the land for the approved purpose or sells, gifts or transfers it without authorisation, necessary action will be taken.
The govt has maintained that the law aims to "protect the state's resources, cultural heritage and citizens' rights." Dhami said, "This will completely halt the uncontrolled sale of agricultural and horticultural land in Uttarakhand, in line with the sentiment of the state's residents."
"Additionally, for purposes such as residential, educational, hospital, hotel and industrial needs, people from other states will be able to purchase land in Uttarakhand only after going through a stringent process and meeting set standards," said the CM.
"The implementation of strict land laws will prevent attempts to change the demographic character in the state. We express our deep gratitude to the governor for approving this land law to strengthen the state's cultural and social identity. Continuous action is being taken against those violating the provisions of the land Act. A widespread campaign is underway, and such land is being vested in the state govt," Dhami added.