PRIs, especially Gram Panchayats (GPs), have the potential to play a transformative role in democratizing land governance. They are well-positioned to influence how land is accessed, allocated, used or conserved. However, they are often politically side-lined, financially under-resourced and excluded from key decision-making processes around land and natural resources.

This session explores the critical yet underutilized role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in shaping land governance for inclusive local development and rural skilling. Through dialogue with practitioners, researchers, and grassroots leaders, the panel will examine Whether current land governance framework advances participatory planning, sustainable commons management and equitable land-use practices?  How PRIs can reclaim their democratic space to influence land access, allocation and conservation? The potential for land-linked governance to create opportunities for rural skilling and strengthening Panchayat Financial Autonomy.

The discussion will unpack:

· Structural barriers limiting PRI engagement in land governance

· The intersection of land with social justice and economic development.

· Opportunities for rural youth and Own Source Revenue (OSR) generation through digitization, drone surveys, and land-linked services

Goal: To reimagine land governance as a locally anchored, democratically driven process—empowering PRIs to serve as stewards of both ecological sustainability and local community well-being.