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Karnataka's Land Beat app has identified about 1.5 lakh encroached government land parcels, covering 14.1 lakh acres, through a digital mapping and verification drive launched in early 2024. The tool enables village accountants to geo-fence land, upload photos or videos, and flag encroachments, forming a digital extension of the Jamabandi land record system. Officials clarified that totals may drop after detailed surveys, as even partial encroachments mark entire plots. The project's three-stage process-verification, drone-based measurement, and eviction under Section 104 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act-is nearing completion. In Bengaluru alone, land worth INR 5,000 crore has been reclaimed, while bi-monthly drives and periodic digital updates now sustain continuous monitoring.
Karnataka's Land Beat application has highlighted nearly 1.5 lakh government land parcels, spanning about 14.1 lakh acres, as being encroached. The digital tool allows village accountants to geo-fence plots, document their condition through photos and short videos, and mark whether they are encroached. The initiative was introduced in early 2024 to improve monitoring and recovery of public land and builds on the older Jamabandi system of land records. Advertisement
Officials note that the number of encroached parcels may decrease after detailed surveys, since even small encroachments can lead to an entire parcel being recorded as encroached. The process includes three stages. The first stage, nearly complete, involves physical verification and geotagging by village accountants. Over 13.9 lakh out of 14.3 lakh identified parcels have been visited so far. The second stage will use drones and rovers to measure the precise extent of encroachment, followed by notices and eviction under Section 104 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.
The initiative has already yielded significant results. In Bengaluru, special drives over the past year have reclaimed government land valued at INR 5,000 crore. These drives are now conducted twice a month to maintain ongoing monitoring. The app also helps create a digital Jamabandi registry updated every three to four months, ensuring regular oversight of land holdings.
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