In the current year of 2026, the government of Karnataka has announced a significant amendment to its land revenue law. This move targets the unique and long-standing system of land records in the Coorg region, officially known as Kodagu district. The objective of this reform is to resolve decades-old documentation issues affecting Jamma Bane land holdings, which are pivotal to the heritage and livelihoods of the indigenous Kodava community.
The amendment, titled the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Act, 2025, was recently notified by the government following the assent of Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. This act marks a crucial step in modernizing the land records, with the ongoing Bhoomi Project serving as the broader initiative for digitization in Karnataka.
The resolution of these long-standing documentation issues is expected to have a profound impact on the Kodava community, whose heritage and livelihood are deeply intertwined with the Jamma Bane land holdings. The move is being widely welcomed by the community as it promises to bring clarity and security to their ancestral lands.
The amendment aims to digitize Jamma Bane lands under the Bhoomi Project, a larger ongoing digitization initiative in Karnataka. This move is expected to streamline land records, reduce disputes, and ensure transparency in the management of these vital resources.
As the government moves forward with this amendment, it remains to be seen how it will be implemented and what impact it will have on the lives of the Kodava community members who rely heavily on their ancestral lands for their livelihoods. Nonetheless, the amendment marks a promising step towards modernizing Karnataka’s land records and improving the lives of its indigenous communities.
