Through a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Land, WAVE implemented “Land Data Digitalization for Inclusive Growth (LDD4IG)” project to modernize the land administration system. The project focuses on digitizing key land records including Khatian and Holding information with the objective of creating a comprehensive, integrated and automated land management system. The core aim of this initiative is to reduce land disputes, simplify access to land-related services, enhance transparency and accountability and support sustainable economic growth. By replacing manual processes with digital solutions, the project seeks to eliminate long-standing administrative hardships and ensure equal, fair and citizen-friendly access to land services for all.
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with limited land resources making land-related disputes a frequent and pressing challenge. Among various public service sectors in the country, land administration particularly land management remains one of the most complex and sensitive areas due to outdated records, manual processes and limited accessibility. In this context, the digitalization of land information has emerged as a timely, strategic and essential initiative for ensuring efficient and transparent land governance.
The large-scale pilot project has been successfully implemented at the field level with WAVE Foundation serving as the implementing partner. The project has completed land data digitalization and verification activities in all 103 Union and Municipal Land Offices across 13 upazilas in three selected districts Rajbari, Chuadanga and Jhalokathi under Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions respectively. A total of 913,351 Record Khatian data, 103,067 manual mutation records, 346,889 e-mutation records and 1,376,486 holding records have been digitized through the intervention of the project. This engagement in land sector reform marks a new horizon in WAVE Foundation’s institutional journey and represents a significant landmark toward inclusive, transparent and citizen-centric land governance.
As a result of this digital transformation, Land Management and Administration Processes (LMAP) are becoming more efficient, reliable and transparent. Improved access to accurate land records is also opening new opportunities for investment increasing revenue generation and promoting inclusive development contributing directly to the national vision of building a prosperous and equitable Bangladesh.
“Before digitalization, it took several visits to the land office to check my land documents and often there were delays and confusion. Now, I can access accurate land information online which has saved me time and given me peace of mind,” shared one of the beneficieries, Rajbari District. This considerable achievement has contributed to streamlining land administration and enhancing service delivery for citizens.
Through LDD4IG project, public access to land-related services has significantly improved through the introduction of public portals and mobile applications such as DLRMS, enabling citizens to search land records, track applications and pay land development tax online. At the same time, the technical capacity of both project staff and land office officials has been strengthened through targeted training and orientation programmes while NID and mobile-based service delivery systems have ensured secure and verified access for citizens. These improvements have enhanced transparency and accountability within land administration by increasing administrative efficiency and revenue collection thereby contributing to overall economic growth and inclusive development.
