ABSTRACT

Agricultural land is a fundamental natural and economic resource that supports food security, rural livelihoods, ecological stability and the agricultural economy. Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, infrastructure development and speculative real-estate activities have increasingly created pressure for the conversion of agricultural land into residential, commercial and industrial uses. Although land-use conversion may sometimes be justified by legitimate developmental requirements, uncontrolled conversion and illegal misuse can result in the permanent loss of productive agricultural land, environmental degradation, pressure on water resources, unplanned urbanisation and displacement of agricultural communities. This paper critically examines the legal framework governing the protection of agricultural land from conversion and misuse in India, with particular emphasis on Tamil Nadu. The study adopts a qualitative doctrinal methodology based on constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, judicial decisions, government reports and scholarly literature. The paper examines the constitutional principles under Articles 21, 48A and 51A(g), the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. Particular attention is given to Sections 47, 47-A, 48, 49, 56 and 57 of the Tamil Nadu Act and the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. Judicial trends demonstrate that statutory development plans and zoning regulations cannot be casually diluted by administrative action. The paper concludes that stronger monitoring, transparent conversion procedures, protection of fertile and environmentally sensitive agricultural land, digital land records, public participation and effective enforcement are necessary to achieve a balance between development and agricultural-land conservation. This paper critically examines the legal framework governing the protection of agricultural land from conversion and misuse in India, with particular emphasis on Tamil Nadu. The study adopts a qualitative doctrinal methodology based on constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, judicial decisions, government reports and scholarly literature. The paper examines the constitutional principles under Articles 21, 48A and 51A(g), the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. Particular attention is given to Sections 47, 47-A, 48, 49, 56 and 57 of the Tamil Nadu Act and the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019. Judicial trends demonstrate that statutory development plans and zoning regulations cannot be casually diluted by administrative action. The paper concludes that stronger monitoring, transparent conversion procedures, protection of fertile and environmentally sensitive agricultural land, digital land records, public participation and effective enforcement are necessary to achieve a balance between development and agricultural-land conservation.