The six-day International Workshop on Land Governance, organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, successfully concluded at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Gurugram. The event brought together senior officials from 22 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, fostering discussions on modernising land administration and showcasing India’s technological advancements in the field.

The workshop focused on leveraging technology to enhance property rights, reduce land disputes, and improve governance. Experts shared best practices on land laws, administrative frameworks, and India’s pioneering initiatives, particularly the SVAMITVA Scheme, which utilises drone-based surveys for mapping rural land parcels.

A major highlight was a live demonstration of drone survey technology in Alipur Gram Panchayat, Sohna Block, Gurugram District. Delegates observed how India’s approach ensures precision and community involvement in land surveys. To date, under the SVAMITVA Scheme, drone surveys have been completed in 3.2 lakh villages, covering 67,000 square kilometers and unlocking an estimated asset base of $1,162 billion (as of January 2025).

The event also explored advanced land governance tools, including Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) for real-time land record updates. These innovations promise significant benefits for developing countries by improving land data accuracy and accessibility. Participants expressed interest in adopting India’s models to strengthen their own land administration systems.

Hands-on training sessions provided practical exposure to geospatial mapping, property rights frameworks, and digital land administration through GIS applications and the SVAMITVA platform. The workshop concluded with discussions on international cooperation, emphasising India’s leadership in digital land governance and its commitment to assisting other nations through policy collaboration, technology transfer, and capacity building.

The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, aims to provide 'Record of Rights' to rural property owners by issuing Property Cards, thereby reducing disputes and facilitating financial inclusion.

So far, 24.3 million Property Cards have been issued in 1.61 lakh villages across 31 States and Union Territories. The scheme employs 567 CORS and high-resolution GIS mapping, ensuring precise land demarcation with accuracy up to 5 cm. The generation of 1:500 scale maps has further enhanced survey efficiency.

Beyond land governance, SVAMITVA is driving rural economic growth by enabling landowners to access bank loans, increasing property tax revenue for local infrastructure, and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions through improved Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). It also integrates with DigiLocker for land ownership verification and supports disaster management, infrastructure planning, and solar energy assessment for rural households.

SVAMITVA has positioned India as a global leader in digital land administration, offering a scalable model for countries facing similar challenges. Delegates at the workshop proposed replicating India’s approach in their respective nations. As part of the programme, participants also explored India’s cultural heritage with visits to the Taj Mahal, the Survey of India Lab, Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, and India Gate.

The successful completion of this workshop reinforces India's role in advancing land governance and its commitment to supporting international collaboration for sustainable development.

(PIB)