Four more municipalities approved; local units with land banks now reach 9

The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration has approved four more rural municipalities to set up land banks.

Those approved are Satyawati, Madane and Dhurkot rural municipalities of Gulmi, and Ribdikot Rural Municipality of Palpa. According to the secretariat of Minister Pratibha Rawal, this brings the number of local units establishing land banks to nine.

Earlier, Byas Municipality of Tanahun, Pancheshwar Rural Municipality of Baitadi, Phikkal Rural Municipality of Sindhuli, Rupa Rural Municipality of Kaski and Badimalika Municipality of Bajura had received approval.

The land bank will identify and keep records of fallow and unused private land within the municipality and put it to agricultural use. Ownership of the land will remain with the owner, who will receive a return as per agreement for making the land available for use.

The ministry said priority will be given to landless, squatter, smallholder farmer, Dalit, marginalized and economically disadvantaged families when making land available.