India, Aug. 31 -- Bihar has already invested in aerial photography, digital cadastral mapping and a comprehensive Special Survey. The next step should be to use that foundation to reorganise fragmented agricultural holdings

Bihar is undertaking one of India's most ambitious exercises in land administration. Building on comprehensive aerial photography, its Special Survey and Settlement is preparing digital cadastral maps, reconstructing land records and attempting to bring the record, the map and possession closer together. That exercise is valuable in itself. But it also raises a larger question - what should Bihar do once the survey is complete? For consolidation, Bihar need no longer begin with the expensive task of mapping the countr...