Maharashtra: Tribal Land Sales Illegal Without Collector's Nod

• Tribal land is legally protected in India, particularly in Maharashtra, due to its significance for tribal communities' lifestyle and livelihood.
• Sections 36A, 36AA, and 36AB of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, strictly restrict the sale or transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
• Any transaction involving tribal land without the Collector's or competent authority's permission is illegal and can lead to the land being reclaimed by the government.
• Land transfer is permitted only under specific conditions, such as tribal-to-tribal transactions with permission, acquisition for government projects, or rare conditional transfers approved by the District Collector.
• Courts emphasize the state's constitutional duty to protect tribal lands, especially in Fifth Schedule areas, and advise caution and legal consultation before purchasing land in tribal-dominated regions.

Why It Matters: Laws strictly protect tribal land, making its sale/purchase highly restricted and complex.