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Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has assured that homes built on "zudpi jungle" land will not be demolished, impacting approximately 2 lakh families. He has directed officials to complete the regularization and land title issuance process within three months. This follows a Supreme Court ruling on May 22, 2025, which classified about 86,000 hectares of such land as forest but allowed for protecting existing settlements. The directive aims to grant ownership rights to long-term occupants who have historically paid taxes but lacked formal titles, addressing a matter of "life and dignity."
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has recently provided reassurance regarding homes built on specific shrubland forest areas. This move, affecting residents in regions across Maharashtra, particularly Vidarbha, aims to prevent demolition and formalize land tenure for numerous families who have resided there for decades, by directing officials to expedite the regularization process and issue land titles. Advertisement
Approximately 2 lakh families are impacted by this issue, which concerns their homes built on what is termed "zudpi jungle" land. This matter is considered one of "life and dignity" for these families. Residents have lived on these lands for decades, with local bodies recognizing their occupation by collecting taxes and recording their names in official registers, yet they have been denied formal ownership.
The minister's directive follows a Supreme Court ruling on May 22, 2025. This ruling declared about 86,000 hectares of zudpi jungle lands in districts like Nagpur, Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli as forest land under its 1996 judgment. However, the ruling also acknowledged existing human settlements and permitted their protection, provided a diversion proposal is submitted within three months.
Bawankule inquired about the progress on this proposal during a high-level meeting at Mantralaya. The minister warned revenue and forest department officials against any delays in regularizing these homes. He directed them to complete the process and issue land titles to all eligible households within three months. This requires a detailed, village-wise and survey-number-wise plan, including site visits and physical verification reports, with re-surveying if necessary.
He stated that no homes would be razed and every family must receive rightful ownership. The lack of land titles has deprived many families residing on these shrubland tracts of basic rights and benefits, including those under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Bawankule reiterated the state's commitment to protecting every home and ensuring justice, even considering offering alternative land if needed. He requested a detailed report within two days to expedite the legalization process and prevent further delays in welfare and development projects.
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