Panchayat land auction triggers opposition in Tehri Garhwal
The Tehri Garhwal district administration's decision to auction approximately 1.6 hectares of land in Ramgaon and Baur villages on June 26 has sparked widespread opposition. Residents warn of an agitation if the move is not withdrawn, alleging that the land belongs to the panchayat and has been used by local communities for nearly 150 years.
Following a notice issued on June 11, panchayat members and residents held a meeting on Saturday and submitted a memorandum to the office of Tehri MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah. They demanded immediate demarcation of panchayat land in the two villages and cancellation of the auction tender. The memorandum stated that any attempt to transfer the land to "land mafias" would not be tolerated.
Residents threaten hunger strike and agitation
"If the government does not promptly withdraw the decision, public representatives will go on a hunger strike. An intensive agitation will be launched if steps to cancel the land auction are not initiated within three days," the memorandum stated. A protest has been scheduled for Monday.
Residents said the land has been used for grazing cattle, collecting fodder, and as a playground for children. "We have used this land for grazing cattle and collecting fodder. Children have played here, and there has been no encroachment. When the lake was developed, many of us lost our land and had to relocate. Now we risk losing more land to outside development," said Yudhveer Singh Rawat, pradhan of neighbouring Bairgani village.
Villagers question purpose of auction
Villagers said they would have supported projects serving public welfare. "If the land was being used for a school, college or hospital, many of us would willingly donate our own property. But we are already witnessing large-scale deforestation and the construction of resorts and buildings. If this land is auctioned to private developers, it will lose its character and eventually even the lake ecosystem could come under threat," said villager Anil Rana.
Local MLA Vikram Negi backed the villagers, alleging that while "land mafias" continued to encroach on land, development by the administration remained limited. "The villagers are angry, and rightly so. These grazing grounds have existed for decades and are part of the area's heritage. If they disappear, many families will lose an important source of livelihood," he said.
Eco-activists condemn the move
Eco-activists also condemned the move. "Such transfers of common land are unfair to local communities. These decisions often involve vested interests and have become part of a broader pattern that is damaging local ecology and, ultimately, the wider environment," said Dehradun-based environmentalist Reenu Paul.
District officials, however, said the auction would proceed as scheduled. "This is panchayat land and policies exist for its utilisation in development works. Due process is being followed and objections raised by residents are being heard," said sub-divisional magistrate Kamlesh Mehta.
