**Executive Summary**
On May 21, 2026, the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met to explore collaboration in land governance and watershed management. The meeting focused on digital initiatives like the "Land Stack" and DILRMP 3.0 to support the "Viksit Bharat by 2047" vision. Key future actions include establishing cooperation through technical assistance, policy support, and capacity building.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Land Governance and Digital Initiatives**
* **DILRMP Progress:** The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme has achieved near-saturation in digitizing Records of Rights in several regions and significant milestones in linking cadastral maps with textual records.
* **DILRMP 3.0:** The Department is rolling out the next phase of the programme to implement technological interventions, dynamic record updating, and improved database integration.
* **Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN):** Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers have been generated for approximately 66% of agricultural land parcels in India.
* **Land Stack Vision:** Plans are underway to develop a "Land Stack" as Digital Public Infrastructure, integrating land records, registration, mutation, and land-use services into an interoperable system.
* **Urban Expansion:** Modern land governance practices, including technology-driven mapping, are being expanded to urban areas.
**Watershed Development and Sustainability**
* **Climate Resilience:** Emphasis was placed on sustainable land and water management to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
* **Strategic Approaches:** The Secretary highlighted the need for innovative financing models, technological interventions, and convergence-based approaches to scale up initiatives.
* **Emerging Technologies:** Discussions included the use of geospatial systems, remote sensing, digital platforms, and data-driven planning to improve governance outcomes.
**Collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB)**
* **Mutual Interests:** ADB expressed interest in collaborating on digital agriculture, climate resilience, watershed management, and institutional capacity building.
* **Support Avenues:** Future cooperation will focus on technical assistance, policy support, knowledge sharing, and strengthening sustainable management systems.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Department of Land Resources (DoLR)**
**Impact**
The Department gains access to global best practices and potential technical assistance from ADB to accelerate its modernization and watershed development goals.
**Action Required**
The DoLR must continue the rollout of DILRMP 3.0 and finalize the conceptualization of the "Land Stack" while identifying specific policy areas for ADB support.
**Stakeholder: Asian Development Bank (ADB)**
**Impact**
ADB expands its engagement with the Indian government by aligning its projects in digital agriculture and climate resilience with national land governance initiatives.
**Action Required**
ADB needs to coordinate with DoLR to define the scope of technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing frameworks.
**Stakeholder: State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact**
Regional administrations are affected by the transition to DILRMP 3.0 and the integration of land-related databases into a national "Land Stack."
**Action Required**
State entities must ensure the continued digitization of records and the allotment of ULPINs to reach saturation across all land parcels.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): A central initiative for the digitization of land records, currently rolling out its next phase (DILRMP 3.0) for improved land governance.
Department of Land Resources (DoLR): The primary department under the Ministry of Rural Development responsible for land administration and watershed development in India.
Asian Development Bank (ADB): An international development organization exploring collaboration with the Indian government on technical assistance and watershed management.
Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN): Also known as 'Bhu-Aadhaar', this initiative assigns a unique identity to land parcels to enhance transparency in land transactions.
Viksit Bharat by 2047: The national vision document providing the strategic framework for land governance reforms and economic development.
Ministry of Rural Development
Department of Land Resources and ADB Explore
Collaboration in Land Governance and
Watershed Management
Secretary, DoLR Highlights Land Governance Reforms and
Digital Initiatives in Meeting with ADB
Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 4:19PM by PIB Delhi
New Delhi, May 21: Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development,
Shri Narendra Bhooshan, today held an introductory meeting with a delegation from the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) led by its Country Director, Ms. Mio Oka. During the meeting, Shri Narendra
Bhooshan highlighted the key initiatives being undertaken by the Department of Land Resources in the
areas of land governance, land records modernization and watershed development in line with the
Government’s vision of building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Secretary stated that the Department of Land Resources has been entrusted with the crucial
responsibility of land records management and land administration in the country. He noted that efficient
land administration and optimal utilization of land resources are essential for accelerating economic
development, unlocking the value of land assets and ensuring inclusive growth.Emphasizing the transformative role of technology in land governance, Shri Bhooshan informed the
delegation that significant progress has been achieved under the Digital India Land Records
Modernization Programme (DILRMP). He stated that digitization of Records of Rights has reached near
saturation in several States and Union Territories, while linkage of textual land records with cadastral
maps has crossed significant milestones across the country.
He further informed that the Department is in the process of rolling out the next phase of the programme,
DILRMP 3.0, aimed at further strengthening land governance systems through technological
interventions, dynamic updation of land records and improved integration of land-related databases. The
Secretary also highlighted the progress made in allotment of Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers
(ULPIN), also referred to as “Bhu-Aadhaar”, to land parcels across the country. He informed that ULPINs
have already been generated for around 66 per cent of agricultural land parcels in India.
Shri Bhooshan further shared the Department’s vision of developing a comprehensive “Land Stack” as the
next layer of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), integrating land records, registration, mutation, land use
and other related services through interoperable digital systems for improved governance and service
delivery. He also highlighted the Department’s ongoing initiatives for expanding modern land governance
practices to urban areas, including mapping and technology-driven solutions.
On watershed development, the Secretary underlined the importance of climate-resilient and sustainable
land and water management practices for enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening rural
livelihoods. He stressed the need for innovative financing models, technological interventions and
convergence-based approaches for scaling up watershed development initiatives across the country.
The meeting also deliberated upon global best practices in land administration, watershed development,
digital governance and sustainable natural resource management. Discussions were held on the use of
emerging technologies, including geospatial systems, digital platforms, remote sensing and data-driven
planning for improving governance outcomes.
Ms. Mio Oka briefed the Secretary about various initiatives and projects being supported by the Asian
Development Bank across different sectors in India and its ongoing engagement with State Governments.
She highlighted ADB’s work in areas such as digital agriculture, climate resilience, watershed
management and institutional capacity building, and expressed ADB’s keen interest in collaborating with
the Department of Land Resources in areas of mutual interest.
Both sides discussed avenues for future cooperation, including technical assistance, policy support,
capacity building and knowledge sharing for strengthening sustainable land and watershed management
systems in the country.
The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretary Shri R Anand; Joint Secretary Shri P. Narahari;
Joint Secretary Shri Nitin Khade; Economic Advisor Shri P.K. Abdul Kareem; and other senior officials of
the Ministry.***
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