Uttarakhand: ‘no Land For You Here’: Uttarakhand Villages Put Up Signs Against Non-locals | Dehradun News

ALMORA: Villagers in remote areas of Uttarakhand have begun installing signs prohibiting outsiders from purchasing land, fearing the loss of their cultural identity and traditional lands. The initiative emerged amid rising concerns over unchecked land sales, particularly in hill regions, where many residents worry about the long-term impact of such sales on their communities.
Despite repeated calls for stronger land laws, govt has yet to take significant action. The boards were installed in several villages, reflecting a grassroots movement that has gained momentum in recent months.
A few months ago, one such board was placed in Ainchauli village in Lamgada block. Led by locals, the sign warns that outsiders are not welcome to buy land in the village. In another case, the village of Kali Gaar Birgaon Talla took similar steps under the leadership of village head Manju Kandpal. A board was erected at the village entrance, saying that no outsider could purchase land within the gram sabha area. Kandpal said, “Outsiders are buying land under the guise of scenic properties, and we’ve collectively decided to prevent the sale of land to protect the identity and heritage of our local communities.”
The movement has spread to other regions as well, including Sult, where villagers became aware in March that land was being purchased using forged farmer certificates. Sult tehsildar Abid Ali mentioned a recent case in Dabara Saural, where 1,060 square metres of land were bought using a fake certificate. “A case was filed after an investigation, and if we receive further complaints, action will be taken,” said Ali.
Across the state, many communities share a growing fear that without more robust legislative measures, their region’s demographic and cultural landscape may be permanently altered. While govt has yet to introduce a robust land protection law, these local initiatives demonstrate a determination to safeguard the future of Uttarakhand’s hill communities and preserve their heritage.