Pune District Administration Begins Verification of 34,000 Acres of Forest Land

Pune, 25th February 2026: The district administration has launched a verification drive of lands owned by the Forest Department but allotted for agricultural or residential use through the Revenue Department. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted at the district level to examine whether these lands are being used for their intended purpose, whether ownership has changed, and whether any parcels remain unused. A detailed report will be submitted to the state government after scrutiny.

As part of the exercise, officials are cross-verifying entries in the Forest Department’s “Golden Book” (Form 1) with revenue records, including 7/12 extracts and mutation entries.

The background of such allotments dates back to the enactment of the Indian Forest Act, 1878. In 1902, the then government decided to permit certain forest lands to be allotted to farmers for cultivation and, in some cases, for residential use. While ownership remained with the Forest Department, the authority to allot the land was vested with the Revenue Department. Accordingly, lands were allotted to farmers under specified terms and conditions.

In Pune district, around 34,000 acres of forest land were identified for such purposes. Of this, nearly 30 to 40 per cent was allotted, while about 60 per cent remained undistributed.

All allotted lands were recorded in the Forest Department’s Golden Book. In revenue records, including 7/12 extracts, the name of the occupant was entered; however, ownership continued to vest with the Forest Department.

In 2016, the Forest Department sought the return of such lands, following which the state government initiated steps to reclaim them. A special drive is currently underway to transfer approximately 17,000 to 18,000 acres of unallotted land back to the Forest Department. In addition, lists of nearly 14,000 to 15,000 acres of allotted lands are being prepared for detailed scrutiny.

Tehsildars have begun examining whether the terms and conditions of allotment have been violated. The SIT will verify whether the land is still being used by the original allottee, whether it has been sold without permission, whether there has been an unauthorised change in land use, and whether due approvals were obtained in cases of transfer.

Revenue Department Secretary Umakant Kadnor said a Special Investigation Team has been set up to verify such lands. “Lists are being published, and citizens will be able to file objections and suggestions,” he said.

Officials clarified that forest lands allotted before 1980 for cultivation or residential purposes fall under the ‘Class II’ category. Such lands cannot be freely sold, mortgaged or used to avail loans, and occupants do not enjoy full ownership rights. The verification drive forms part of a broader policy review to determine whether ownership rights can be granted to occupants in the future.