In Patan district, about 600 acres of _gauchar _land (grazing land) in Anwarpura village was identified by the Gujarat State Land Development Corporation (GSLDC) for jatropha plant cultivation. Oil extracted from these plants is used in the production of aviation fuel. Considering its commercial benefit, the village panchyat had agreed to hand over the land to the GSLDC. However, the plan did not materialise and the GSLDC transferred the land to Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFCL) for jatropha cultivation in 2008. For this transfer, no consent was taken from the villagers. In December 2008, GSFCL started jatropha cultivation on 132 acres of the land, which led to widespread protests in the village. As a result, the company had to suspend its work in April 2009. Villagers had proposed to the GSFCL to distribute the land to landless farmers and undertake cultivation in partnership with the company. The company did not agree to the proposal. Varjangaji Janaji Thakore, sarpanch (head of panchayat) of Anwarpura, said, "It would have been a winwin situation for everybody, with the marginal farmers getting a sustainable means of livelihood and the company getting its jatropha." In 2018, as part of agroforestry proposals of the forest department, the state government wanted to restart its plantation efforts. But the villagers continued to oppose the idea. Gujarat Lok Samiti had written letters to the chief minister, revenue minister and principal secretary regarding its demands but have not received any response from the government yet.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Complaint against procedural violations, Demand to get back acquired land
Demand to distribute 132 acres of land amongst landless farmers in the village
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Type of Common Land
Non-Forest (Grazing Land)
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Central/State Government Policy
Legislations/Policies Involved
Gujarat State Government Resolutions, 2005
These policies provide for government wasteland to be allotted on lease basis to large industrial houses and competent individual farmers for the purposes of extending the cultivable area in the state. The cultivation has to be for the purposes of agriculture, horticulture and bio-fuels.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Violation of free prior informed consent
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Gujarat
Case Number
Special Civil Application No. 5433 of 2009
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Complaints, petitions, memorandums to officials
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Gujarat State Land Development Corporation
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Gujarat Lok Samiti
Documented By
Aditi PatilReviewed By
Aditi PatilUpdated By
Aditi PatilEdited By
Aditi PatilLand Conflict Watch
