Nazool land

Nazool land

• Recently violence erupted in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani district after the administration conducted a demolition drive at the site of a mosque and madrasa, allegedly on Nazool land.

What is meant by Nazool land?

• Nazool land refers to the land which is owned by the government but most often not directly administered as state property.
• The state generally allots such land to any entity or body on lease for a fixed period, generally between 15 and 99 years.
• In case the lease term is expiring the entity can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the Revenue Department of the local development authority.
• However the government is free to either renew the lease or cancel it taking back Nazool land.
• In almost all major cities of India Nazool land has been allotted to different entities and bodies for a variety of different purposes.

Emergence of Nazool land:

• During the British rule, kings and kingdoms which opposed the British frequently revolted against them which led to several battles between them and the British Army.
• British after defeating these kings in battle would often take their land away from them.
• After India got Independence the British vacated all these lands.
• But with kings and royals often lacking proper documentation to prove the prior ownership, these lands were marked as Nazool land to be owned by the respective state governments.

How does the government use Nazool land?

• The government generally uses Nazool land for public purposes similar to building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc.
• Several cities in India have also seen large tracts of land denoted as Nazool land which is used for housing societies, generally on lease.
• Most often the state does not directly administer Nazool land, but rather leases it to different entities.

How is Nazool land governed?

• While several states have brought in government orders for the purpose of framing rules for Nazool land, The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956 is the law which is mostly used for Nazool land adjudication.

Is the Halwani land where the demolition drive took place registered as Nazool land?

• As per the Haldwani district administration it is said that the property where the two structures are situated is registered as the Nagar Nigam’s (Municipal Council’s) Nazool land.
• The administration says that for the last 15-20 days, a demolition drive has been underway which is in connection with Nagar Nigam properties to free roads from traffic congestion.