Kerala Drafts Landmark Land Use Policy to Address Climate Challenges

As of October 2025, the Kerala government is in the process of drafting a new comprehensive land use policy to address the state's growing land utilization challenges. The Planning and Economic Affairs department has constituted an expert panel, chaired by R. Ramakumar from the State Planning Board, to oversee the policy development.

The panel includes representatives from 20 government departments and agencies, including those responsible for environment, climate change, land revenue, industries, and disaster management. This diverse representation underscores the government's intent to tackle the multifaceted issues surrounding land use in Kerala.

The policy development comes at a critical juncture, as Kerala faces mounting pressures on its land resources due to a growing population, natural calamities, and human-wildlife conflicts. The state's latest Climate Change Action Plan has emphasized the need for a thorough review of land use planning to ensure land is consolidated and directed towards its optimal ecosystem usage.

With agriculture and forests occupying the majority of Kerala's land area, the new policy aims to strike a balance between competing demands and environmental considerations. As the state grapples with challenges like coastal erosion and landslides, the policy is expected to incorporate assessments of vulnerability to such natural disasters.