The rural areas of Mirzapur and Sonebhadra that AAK works in are marked with highly skewed distribution of agricultural land. Interventions to ensure access and control over lands by local tribal communities have been AAK’s major thrust. Nearly 2265 hectares of land has been redistributed in the name of Kol families and other backward communities in the area over the last 10 years or so and local collectives ensure that they retain control over these lands. AAK focuses on ensuring that the pattas are jointly issued in the name of the wife and husband and they have ensured that 624 pattas were issued in the names of single women. A major issue in the area is the dispute between the Forest Department and the Revenue department over land. While both lay claim over land, the cultivators of these lands are caught in the middle of the dispute. AAK works towards ensuring the rights of people caught in such situations. Apart from local interventions, AAK has also anchored the process of capacity building of other NGOs and supporting the struggle of other landless communities across Uttar Pradesh by supporting the State Level Bhoomi Adhikar Manch.

Focal areas for land rights are:

• Ensuring land rights of marginalised community members
• Facilitating issue of Joint Pattas
• State level Bhoomi Adhikar Manch