SHILLONG, July 6: Amidst mounting fears among tribal communities of losing their ancestral Raid lands to outsiders, big businesses, and large institutions, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has formally fixed ceilings on land holdings.
The development comes in the wake of concerns that unchecked allotment of land is rapidly shrinking community resources, pushing more people into landlessness, triggering rural-to-urban migration, and threatening their traditional livelihoods and cultural identity.
In response to these growing concerns, the KHADC fixed ceilings on Raid land holdings, describing the move as essential to protect dwindling community lands, prevent excessive allotments, and safeguard the interests of tribal communities.
In a notification issued under Section 16 of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) Act, 2021, the Council set clear limits on the extent of Raid land that can be acquired or allotted for different purposes.
For homestays, the ceiling has been fixed at two acres. Industries, resorts, and hotels can be allotted a maximum of four acres each. Agricultural and horticultural activities are allowed up to ten acres, while cash crop plantations can receive up to twelve acres. Educational institutions have been capped at eight acres for schools, ten acres for colleges, fifteen acres for universities, and five acres for vocational institutes.
Fisheries and animal husbandry projects are limited to three acres each, while hospitals, nursing homes, wellness centres, sports academies, stadiums, sports complexes, religious institutions, and commercial establishments can receive a maximum of five acres each.
The Council has made it clear that any settlement, allotment, or setting apart of Raid land beyond these prescribed ceilings shall be deemed void.
However, the Executive Committee may consider proposals for land beyond the limits if it is satisfied that such allotments are in the best interest of the local tribal community. The ceiling provisions will not apply to land acquired by the Union government, the state government, or the KHADC itself.
Any category of land use not specifically mentioned will be decided by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis.
The notification assumes added significance amid the ongoing debate over the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Regulation and Administration of Land) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Council maintains that the land ceiling mechanism is intended to preserve community lands and ensure that future generations of indigenous people continue to have access to these critical resources.
