Be informed on the meaning of land conversion, the legal procedure involved, significance, and the environmental effects of land conversion. Learn how to change the agricultural land into non-agricultural use in India.
Land is among the most important natural resources on earth and the way we utilize land becomes very important in defining our environs, economy and society. Land conversion has turned out to be a popular issue of inquiry in the last decade or so because of the growing need of infrastructure, urbanization and industrialization. What is the meaning of land conversion? What is the reason why it is done? And what are the regulations over it?
What does Land Conversion refer to?
The meaning of land conversion is the legal process of altering the intended use of a piece of land between one category and another one basically the agricultural non-agricultural purchasers of land converted land. This incorporates conversion of farmlands into residential zones, business setting, industrial land, or institutional facilities.
What is the need of Land Conversion?
Due to this high urbanization and economic growth, the pressure of land that is required to house people, infrastructures, and commercial undertakings has skyrocketed. Due to the large percentage of land in India that comprises an agricultural land, it is found that; the conversion of land is necessary.
- Real estate development and growth of urban areas
- Establishment of industries and manufacturing units
- Construction of roads, highways and utilities
- Setting up learning and health facilities
- Grabbing agricultural land and using it in other ways is illegal and can be subject to punishment unless the conversion is correct.
Land Conversion Process of Law in India
Land conversion follows different steps in each of the states although the major steps involved follow:
- Revenue Department application
The landowner is required to apply to the local Tahsildar or District Collector seeking to get a conversion.
- Send Required Documents
This normally entails:
- Title deeds of land ownership
- Up to date RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops)
- Mutation extract
- Zonal classification (Master Plan)
- Tax receipts
- Verification and Inspection
The officials can go to the site and ascertained that it is not under government restriction or environmental concern.
- Conversion Fee payment
Conversion fee is paid according to area of land and category. Such fee varies in different states.
- Conversion Certificate
After paying all the documents and fees the government gives a conversion certificate that will enable this land to become non-agricultural.
The Documents that are required on the land conversion
- Stamp Duty application form
- Sale deed and title deed
- Survey map
- Encumbrance certificate
- Local authorities No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Land tax collection
Effects of Changing Land
An economic implication of land conversion is that it enhances economic growth and development, but it also entails heavy environmental and social consequences.
Effects of Changing Land
An economic implication of land conversion is that it enhances economic growth and development, but it also entails heavy environmental and social consequences.
- Positive Impacts:
Proves enabling when it comes to infrastructure development
Increases the number of job opportunities
Promotes investment and expansion into businesses
- Negative Impacts:
Coupling loss of productive farmland Chaos in the identity of the sexes
Destabilization of regional ecology
More urban flooding risk In regard to the severity of natural disasters, there is an increase in the risk of floods in urban areas.
Deflation and lowering of the level of the water table
Therefore, there should be a moderate approach and the planning should be sustainable to counterbalance the negative impacts.
The issue of land conversion is a burning phenomenon in the process of modernization and growth of India. But it should be done with great sense of responsibility and knowledge of its legal, environmental and social consequences. In case you intend to change your land to commercial or residential area, make sure that you have the legal procedures to go through and also make the relevant payments and check the repercussions of your move in the long run.