Assam Cabinet Approves Amendments to Protect Indigenous Culture and Heritage
Assam Government Enhances Land Protection for SC/ST Villages and Iconic Structures
Guwahati, August 22, 2024: On Wednesday, the Assam Cabinet took significant steps to protect the cultural identity and heritage of indigenous people. The Cabinet approved amendments to the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, focusing on villages predominantly inhabited by Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). These amendments aim to safeguard the land rights of these communities, ensuring their cultural preservation.
A new bill, set to be presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly, will include provisions for declaring certain SC/ST villages and heritage institutions as protected areas. This move will help maintain the cultural and historical significance of these regions.
To further support this initiative, a Cabinet Sub-committee has been formed. This committee, consisting of ministers Dr. Ranoj Pegu, U.G. Brahma, and Pijush Hazarika, will identify villages with a majority SC/ST population. These villages will be classified as Micro-Protected Blocks, offering additional protection to their cultural identity.
In another key decision, the Assam Cabinet approved amendments to Chapter 12 of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886. This amendment will notify a 5-kilometer radius around iconic structures, over 250 years old, as Heritage Belt & Block. The entire district of Majuli, a site of immense cultural importance, will be declared a Heritage Block. The amendment ensures that only residents who have lived in these areas for at least three generations can buy or sell land within these protected zones.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Assam Agricultural Land (Regulation of Reclassification and Transfer of Non-Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2015. This change will streamline the reclassification of land based on local authority plans, making it easier for citizens to adjust land use as needed. Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, a new reclassification service will be launched, simplifying the process for landowners.
These decisions underscore the Assam government’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage while promoting sustainable land management practices.
Also read: Assam Cabinet Approves ‘Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill 2024’
In today’s meeting of the #AssamCabinet we have taken some landmark decisions
1️⃣ New bill to protect the dignity of Muslim women
2️⃣ A safety valve for SC/ST community by restricting land sales in predominantly SC/ST villages
3️⃣ Creation of the Heritage Belt & Block
1/2 pic.twitter.com/R6H356qsP7
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 21, 2024
