The Government of Kerala (GOK), on January 20, 2026, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 7 of the Kerala Government Land Assignment Act, 1960, notified the Kerala Land Assignment (Amendment) Rules, 2026, to further amend the Kerala Land Assignment Rules, 1964. The amendment was issued through the Revenue (U) Department and published in the Kerala Gazette (Extraordinary).
The notification provides that full rights over specified trees standing on assigned land shall vest with the Government, and the assignee shall be responsible for taking care of such trees existing at the time of assignment or coming into existence thereafter. Further, assignees are required to extend full cooperation to Government officers for periodic inspection of the land and for removal of such trees wherever necessary. A Schedule of protected tree species—namely Teak, Blackwood, Ebony and Sandalwood—has been inserted in Appendix II and Appendix II-A.
In the case of lands assigned to military personnel, while the same conditions regarding Government ownership of specified trees and inspection apply, an additional proviso permits such personnel to lease the assigned land to others during periods of active service. The amendment came into force immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette.
[S.R.O. No. 109/2026]
