Dhaka: Speakers at a discussion here today unequivocally called for ensuring transparency and accountability in digital land survey. Simultaneously, peoples' participation can be the crucial means of making the digital land survey activities people-friendly and free from harassment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, land experts and development activists made these observations while addressing a workshop titled "Role of Civil Society in Digital Land Survey." The event was organized by the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) at the conference hall of NGO Forum for Public Health in the city.
During his keynote address, Muhammad Zillur Rahman, a consultant for the Establishment of Digital Land Management System Project of the Land Record and Survey Department, highlighted the technical and legal aspects of digital land surveys. He emphasized that the complexities related to land ownership are expected to significantly diminish with the successful completion of digital surveys. Additionally, landowners will have easier access to flawless khatians and area maps.
Rahman further elaborated that the digital land survey in 40 locations (mouza) in Rajshahi employs 3D satellite imagery to automate the creation of Khatian and maps. This could potentially eliminate the need for manual land surveys and reduce public harassment associated with land ownership transfers. The initiative aims to streamline land management processes and enhance land services by leveraging modern technology.
He noted, "Hundred percent land mutation online is in process at present," adding that the digital land survey project is being carried out in Rajshahi through the collection of three-dimensional satellite images. Once fully implemented, this venture will save the public from the long-standing harassment of manual land surveys, as Khatian and maps will be automatically prepared in terms of ownership transfer.
Other speakers at the event included Professor Sabrina Naz from the Department of Botany at Rajshahi University (RU), Assistant Settlement Officers Ananta Kumar Mukutmoni and Ashoke Dutta, and development activists Mustafizur Rahman and Afzal Hossain.