Addressing the program, Joshi stated that the policy is aimed at controlling haphazard use of land as well as for taking maximum advantage through proper use. [break]"If increasing plotting of land is not stopped, within a couple of years the lands will fall in the hands of just few people," he added.
As per the policy, land will be classified into seven categories on the basis of its use: agriculture area, residential area, commercial area, industrial area, forest area, public area and other necessity area.
The policy states that land can be used only in accordance with the classification and for developmental activities. The state will preserve at least 40 percent of the total lands for forestry.
Similarly, government will discourage people to leave their lands uncultivated and from using fertile lands for non-agricultural purposes. The state will also identify and preserve environmentally sensitive areas and will discourage people to reside in the areas prone to natural disaster.
The tax fixation and evaluation of land will be based on categorization and usage.
Spokesperson of the MLRM Krishna Bahadur Raut said that the amendments in policies and laws are necessary for effective use of lands.
He also stated that the ministry will set up land use management department to oversee the issues of land usage.
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