Uttarakhand: Outsiders can't buy farmland in 11 out of 13 districts

Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd) approved the Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Management Act, 1950) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, restricting people from other states from buying agricultural land in 11 out of 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are the only two districts which do not come under the ambit of the law.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday posted about the law on X.



The bill was tabled in the Assembly during the budget session on February 20 and was passed on 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."

An individual from another state planning to buy land must now 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. Further action will be taken if a buyer fails to use the land for the approved purpose or sells, gifts or transfers it without authorisation.

The government has said that the law is 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," the chief minister added.

"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," he said.