Assam govt passes Land and Revenue Regulation Amendment bill to safeguard heritage sites

Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024 has been passed, which introduces Chapter 12 into the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886. This new provision designates a 'Heritage Belt and Block' around structures older than 250 years. Within a 5 km radius of these heritage sites, land transactions will be restricted to residents who have lived there for at least three generations.

Sarma expressed gratitude to the legislators for their support, emphasizing the Bill's role in preserving cultural landmarks such as Mandirs, Naamghars, and Sattras. This legislation aligns with his broader mission to safeguard the identity of Assam's indigenous people, which he has flagged as threatened by demographic changes.

Earlier, during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, Sarma highlighted his commitment to protecting indigenous communities amid significant demographic shifts. He outlined plans for stringent laws to prevent land transfer in historic areas, secure lands belonging to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, and implement micro-tribal belt provisions. 

Sarma stressed that these measures are crucial to ensuring that the lands of tribal and backward communities, particularly in the undivided Golpara district, are not sold to other communities. This decision aims to fortify the land rights of indigenous groups such as the Koch Rajbongshi, Boro, and Rabha.

Sarma’s announcement underscores a determined effort to address the evolving challenges of land management and cultural preservation in Assam, reinforcing the state government's commitment to protecting its heritage and indigenous populations.