KNU land policy (English Version)

appropriate structure to ensure justice for all community members
concerning land issues. The Village Land Committee will consist
of elected members whose roles and responsibilities will be
under the review of the entire community. The Village Land
Committee shall determine the allowable individual household
and collective occupation and use of its communal land, and
designate specific areas for specific uses, including agriculture,
forestry, fisheries, grazing and mixed uses. If the Village Land
Committee so desires and declares, any member who is allocated
communal land to grow food for his or her family may be required
to pay a fair tax to the community. The KAD, in cooperation and
consultation with the Central Land Committee and with the FPIC
of customary authorities, the Village Land Committee and all
members of the village, should clarify, document and certify who
has what rights to which areas designated as communal land,
for how long and what temporal periods, and for what purposes
and with what duties.
3.5.3 While the Village Land Committee is the body responsible for all
local land administrative issues, it will coordinate with and receive
support and guidance from the Central Land Committee through
Township and District authorities and structures.
3.5.4 Tenure rights and practices of many people and communities in
Kawthoolei depend on recognition and protection of Communal
Land. In cooperation with the Central Land Committee and with
the FPIC of the Village Land Committee, the KAD will recognize,
certify and record in the relevant registry all Communal Land in
Kawthoolei. Communal Land is not limited to the land resources
therein, but also the related forest and aquatic resources.
Communal Land may thus include community forests and
woodlands; lakes, rivers and wetlands; Karen rotational farming
lands (“ku”), garden, pasture and rangeland; and other areas
32 Karen National Union (KNU)