India, Sept. 30 -- In an attempt to protect their land from 'outsiders', the gram panchayat of Morvane village in Konkan passed a resolution, 'village land for villagers' on September 14, which says that land in the village can be sold only to another resident of the village. However, a senior lawyer pointed out that the local body does not have the authority to pass such a resolution under any law.

Morvane, a village in the Chiplun taluka of Ratnagiri district in Konkan, located near the Vashishti river, is surrounded by lush forests and hills. The scenic beauty, pleasant weather, and low land prices have attracted 'outsiders' leaving several villagers worried about the future of their surroundings.

In a gram sabha meeting held on Sept...