Agricultural Land Acquisition for Infrastructure Development: Effects on Land Use, Livestock Dependent Livelihoods and Environmental Sustainability in India

Abstract

Infrastructure development in India requires land for roads, railways, urban transit, irrigation, energy systems, pipelines and public facilities. Acquisition is legally justified through public purpose, but its validity depends on statutory authority, fair procedure, compensation and rehabilitation. This descriptive paper examines the Indian legal framework and landmark Supreme Court judgments governing compulsory acquisition for infrastructure. It reviews Article 300A of the Constitution, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, and selected sector statutes. Judicial decisions are organised around seven principles: authority of law, notice, hearing, reasoned decision, public purpose, fair compensation, and timely completion of proceedings. The paper then discusses how acquisition affects agricultural continuity, parcel configuration, irrigation, fodder supply, livestock dependent livelihoods and land use change. The review shows that compensation for titled land does not necessarily restore the productive relationships sustained by the acquired landscape. It argues that legal compliance and environmental sustainability should be connected at the planning stage through early identification of owners and users, assessment of residual land, protection of access and water systems, recognition of livestock dependencies, and monitoring of livelihood restoration. The paper offers an integrated interpretation of acquisition law for responsible infrastructure planning.