Effective land governance is crucial for sustainable development and economic growth globally. However, a significant portion of the world’s population lacks legally registered land titles. This challenge is being addressed head-on at the “International Workshop on Land Governance,” being held in Gurugram, Haryana, from March 24th to 29th, 2025. This pivotal event showcases India’s groundbreaking SVAMITVA Scheme, a model for modernizing land administration through the use of drone technology and high-resolution mapping.
Workshop on Global Challenges
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program) and the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA), is organizing a six-day “International Workshop on Land Governance.” Delegates from 22 countries, spanning Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia, are set to participate in it.
Showcasing India’s SVAMITVA Scheme
The workshop will have India’s SVAMITVA Scheme as central point of discussion. Rural inhabited areas have been successfully mapped by the scheme using drone technology. Legal ownership documents have been provided to property owners by the scheme.
Key Objectives/Features
The workshop aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices and explore innovative solutions in land governance. Several key features are included:
i) Global Participation: Senior officials from over 22 countries are taking part. Participating countries include Turkmenistan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Mali, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, Mongolia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Equatorial Guinea, Kiribati, São Tomé and Príncipe, Liberia, Ghana, Armenia, Honduras, Eswatini, Cambodia, Togo, and Papua New Guinea.
ii) Focus on Technology: High-resolution mapping, drone-based land survey techniques, and geospatial technologies are taking central focus.
iii) Technical Sessions: Hands-on demonstrations of drone survey methods, Data processing techniques, Ground verification processes and GIS integration.
iv) Field Demonstrations: Practical exposure to flight planning and drone surveying will be offered by Survey of India experts.
Drone Vendors’ Exhibition and Technology Showcase
Modern land governance technologies will be displayed via field visits and exhibitions. Key highlights include:
i) Drone Vendors’ Exhibition (March 24-25, 2025): 10 drone vendors will showcase innovations in drone-based land mapping and survey techniques.
ii) Technology on Display: Survey-grade drones for high-precision mapping, Advanced drone survey processes and technology and GIS tools/applications for data-driven land management.
iii) CORS Demonstration: Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) and Rovers will be demonstrated, highlighting real-time, high-accuracy (5cm positioning services) land surveying techniques.
Knowledge Partnerships
Key industry partners are participating as knowledge partners. These include:
i) Survey of India
ii) State Land Revenue Departments
iii) National Informatics Centre
iv) Geo-Spatial World
v) Hexagon
vi) Trimble
vii) Aereo
viii) Marvell Geospatial
ix) Idea Forge Tech
x) AWS
Classroom Demonstrations
These demonstrations will cover the following topics:
i) Drone use cases.
ii) Ortho-rectified imaging.
iii) Feature-extracted maps.
iv) Ground verification technologies.
v) Data validation and property card finalization.
Addressing the Global Land Governance Challenge
The workshop recognizes the universal challenge of land governance. It is significant, considering that only 30% of the global population holds legally registered land titles (World Bank, 2017).
India’s SVAMITVA Scheme: A Model for the World
India’s SVAMITVA Scheme offers a comprehensive approach to mapping inhabited rural areas, which is noteworthy. High accuracy (5cm) at a resolution of 1:500 has been achieved. The SVAMITVA Model is used to empower citizens with clear land ownership documentation. More reliable land administration systems can be created with it. It will help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to land rights. The scheme provides a valuable model, positioning India as a leader in this field.
Conclusion
The international workshop will foster the development of transparent, efficient, and equitable land administration systems. The use of technology in Land governance will get a boost, enhancing secure property rights for millions. (PIB: 2113999)