Why is it in the News?

Violence erupted in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani district recently after the administration conducted a demolition drive at the site of a mosque and madrasa, allegedly on Nazool land, killing five and injuring many more.

What is Nazool Land?

• Nazool land is owned by the government but most often not directly administered as state property.
  • The state generally allots such land to any entity on lease for a fixed period, between 15 and 99 years.
• In case the lease term is expiring, one can approach the authority to renew the lease by submitting a written application to the Revenue Department of the local development authority.
  • 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 for a variety of different purposes.

How did Nazool Land Emerge?

• During British rule, kings and kingdoms which opposed the British frequently revolted against them, leading to several battles between them and the British Army.
  • Upon defeating these kings in battle, the British would often take their land away from them.
• After India gained Independence, the British vacated these lands.
  • But with kings and royals often lacking proper documentation to prove 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 like building schools, hospitals, Gram Panchayat buildings, etc.
  • Several cities in India have also seen large tracts of land denoted as Nazool land used for housing societies, generally on lease.
• Very often, the state does not directly administer Nazool land but rather leases it to different entities.
• While several states have brought in government orders for framing rules for Nazool land, The Nazool Lands (Transfer) Rules, 1956 is the law mostly used for Nazool land adjudication.