Lands for Auroville Unified (LFAU) - previously Auroville Land Fund - communicates with donors and maintains a dynamic website, https://land.auroville.org
A4A Quarterly Report – 24 November 2020
https://land.auroville.org/
(in English - avec le pdf en français - பிடிஎஃப்பில் தமிழ்ப் பதிப்பு)
LFAU is a subsidiary of the Land Board. LFAU currently has two ongoing fundraising campaigns for securing Auroville lands: Acres for Auroville and GreenAcres.
Lands for Auroville Unified (LFAU) aims to:
- Provide information and create public awareness of the importance and urgency of securing the land within the designated Auroville Township area.
- Appeal to all people of the world for support to acquire the land for this evolutionary project.
- Enhance and expand global outreach through united networking with the Auroville International Centers and allied organizations worldwide.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with foundations, funding agencies, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Escalating Land Prices
Land prices within the Auroville Township have increased by almost 500% over the past 10 years. The rates at which land is being traded in the Auroville area are determined by:
- the close proximity of Pondicherry , one of India 's fastest growing cities;
- the quick transition of the surrounding rural area into a semi-urban region due to the tremendous population pressure;
- Auroville's own development from a small community into an emerging town.
The rapid escalation of land prices is not only a reality for land within the designated Auroville Township , but also for other areas in the surrounding region.
Speculators and Real Estate Developers
Real estate speculation and developments within the township area, inconsistent with Auroville's Master Plan, are on the increase. Real estate developers and outside business people are eager to profit from Auroville's growth and its worldwide attraction of visitors and guests. Restaurants, guesthouses, travel services, massage centres and shops are already booming on the edge of the Auroville township area. Currently, strategic pieces of land within the Green Belt have been bought by outside parties for real estate development. (The Green Belt area has been reserved for environmental conservation and water resource management).Strip Development along Access Roads
Over the past few years commercial development by outside business owners has mushroomed along the two access roads to Auroville. Further encroachment is very likely to happen where land has not yet been acquired by Auroville. Approximately 150 acres of land along the major access roads needs to be acquired to prevent further detrimental development and to preserve the integrity of the township's master plan and vision.
Auroville's current task is to overcome these challenges in order to acquire the remaining land that is still needed.
Auroville’s land and all assets are legally held by the Auroville Foundation by virtue of Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 passed by the Parliament of India.
The Master Plan of Auroville has been approved by the Town & Country Planning Organisation, Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, and subsequently published in Part III of the Gazette of India. Hence, the land foreseen for Auroville’s master plan area could be acquired under the Land acquisition Act.
The Secretary of Auroville Foundation acts as Estate Manager under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act.
For more information, please contact:
Lands for Auroville Unified (LFAU),
Centre for Urban Research,
Town Hall,
Auroville - 605 101, Tamil Nadu, India
Phone: +91 (0)413 2622657 Fax: +91 (0)413 2622055
E-mail: lfau@auroville.org.in
