Latest news with #LandsandSurveys
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Drone-based survey to be part of Bhu Bharati pilot project
KHAMMAM: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday described the Bhu Bharati initiative as a historic and rare legal reform in Indian history. He said that the law's primary objective is to comprehensively survey agricultural lands, clearly define boundaries and resolve all disputes related to land ownership. The deputy CM, along with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao, formally launched the Bhu Bharati survey pilot project at Mulugumadu village under the Madhira Assembly constituency. The trio initiated a drone-based survey in the village as part of the launch. The state government has chosen five villages for the pilot phase of the Bhu Bharati initiative, with Mulugumadu being one among them in Khammam district. The survey process involves the use of drones to map land boundaries, satellite imaging to gather geospatial data, and the application of DGPS (Differential GPS) and rovers to assess ground reality. Officials will demarcate the boundaries of lands and villages using GPS technology, and prepare LPMs (land parcel maps) and nakshas (revenue maps). The government has identified approximately 413 villages in the state that currently lack land records, maps, and clearly defined borders. The Bhu Bharati pilot will focus on such villages, aiming to create comprehensive records and provide legal assurance to farmers regarding their land holdings. D Srinivas, assistant director of Lands and Surveys for Khammam district, explained that the entire land in these pilot villages will be mapped and every farmer will receive a unique QR code to access their land details. He said that the full survey process is expected to be completed within 20 days.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Land Code amendment ‘timely' in protecting Sarawak's natural wealth
Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a timely measure to safeguard Sarawak's natural wealth while balancing economic development and environmental protection, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. He expressed his firm support for the amendment, but noted concerns raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen over Clause 3, which introduces harsher penalties for those found extracting, removing or transporting rock materials without a valid licence. However, Wong brought up Clause 4 of the Bill, which empowers the Director of Lands and Surveys to issue licences for the export of rock materials from Sarawak. 'In doing so, we must ensure that resource extraction contributes meaningfully to the state's economy, while also maintaining environmental sustainability and our long-term sovereignty over Sarawak's natural wealth,' he said when debating the amendment Bill in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Wong pointed out that rock materials such as granite, limestone, silica sand, kaolin clay and even rare earth elements were of high commercial value domestically and internationally. He said given their depletable nature, he urged that exports be tightly regulated and aligned with Sarawak's constitutional right to manage its own land and resources under Article 95B(3) of the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'Once these materials are gone, they are gone forever. That's why we must set annual limits on how much can be extracted and exported.' Thus, he stressed that all exports must be licensed and subject to strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), with operators held accountable for rehabilitation and pollution control. In addition, he proposed that a special resource fund be established, financed through export duties and royalties, to support infrastructure development and environmental conservation. Wong also advocated for exploring local processing of certain rock materials before export, as part of Sarawak's push for downstream industries, which would help generate employment and spur domestic economic growth. 'Before every licence is issued, we must assess whether the rock material can be processed locally. This would create value-add opportunities and benefit our local communities.' Emphasising the need for effective enforcement, Wong called for stringent monitoring mechanisms to track the movement of rock materials and to clamp down on illegal mining and exports. 'The Land Code (Amendment) Bill represents a significant step in asserting Sarawak's control over its land resources. If implemented responsibly, the export of rock materials can yield long-term benefits for the people of Sarawak today and for future generations,' he said.
