CHAPTER 6 CADASTRAL SURVEY Traditionally land revenues in Nepal have been ascertained on the basis of crude chain surveys

of holdings, or by some ratio to the quantity of seeds expected to be needed for sowing or to the area of ground that a pair of bullocks would plough in a day or to the area that might be dug with a spade in one day. As a result land records have not been properly kept : acreages are not known while titles and boundaries are not always clear. When, as often happens, actual holdings are larger than to registered acreages, the Government loses revenue. Without knowledge of the quality of land- as indicated by its market values, or slope, or erosion evidence, or suitability for producing certain crops-it is difficult to develop an equitable land tax. A cadastral survey is an accurate survey of the quantity, value and ownership of land on the basis of which correct land records can be established and whenever desired maps can be drawn showing titles and boundaries in detail. In the course of such a survey lands may be classified and acreages devoted to various crops recorded. Cadastral surveys are important in clearing up confusions as to titles and boundaries, in developing dependable agricultural statistics, and in providing a basis for equitable land taxation. Heretofore, lack of trained technicians, equipment, and funds have prevented the initiation of a cadastral survey ; these difficulties must be overcome. Training "on the job" will expedited the development of lower level technicians required for such a survey. As far as possible, local people will be enlisted for training and for survey work then given jobs in their own localities. Four zonal settlement officers, under a land Survey Director, will be responsible both for the training of personnel and the conduct of the survey in their respective zones. Gradually their staffs will be built up to include overseer teachers, inspectors, senior and junior surveyors and chairmen trained in the use of simple surveying instruments and equipment. The full staffing of the four zones (the senior technicians being trained abroad)will take about eight years. In the Plan period, a little less than half the country will be surveyed with maps prepared and tabulation completed. The ultimate cost will b divided as between e Government and landholders. The project will not only pay its way but will increase Government's revenue from the land.