Saidur Rahman Khan, former Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University, estimates that some 90% of Adivasis are landless, with the remaining 10% landed on the brink of losing their properties.

Speaking before Adivasis of the plains, he said Adivasis are being slowly extricated from their land.

Individual interviews conducted by NGO Adivasi Unnayan Sangstha in 4 villages of Godagari and Tanore reveal that Adivasi Santals are slowly losing their lands due to the sale of their properties to meet financial needs, most of which are health-related. Having to pay back loans with high interest rates is also one major reason why the Santals sell their land.

Implying the need to protect the Adivasis due to their illiteracy and prevent loss of their land, the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act requires the permission of the revenue officer before the Adivasis can transfer their property.

But many Adivasis however sold their land without the permission of the revenue officer, AUS interviews note from the four villages namely, Vimpara and Hindupara of Tanore and Mohulan and Ashtapukur of Godagari.

"False cases" have also been filed which led to Adivasis losing more of their lands and ending up embroiled in litigations. Many Adivasis don't have the proper documents to prove ownership of their land.

Land is also lost due to the application of the Vested Property Act, individual cases reveal that Adivasis who had fled the country during the Liberation War in 1971 came back to find that they don't own their land anymore as the land was already considered vested and managed by the State.

And because of landlessness, Adivasis turn to khas lands from the government, for even a small parcel of land where they can build their houses on. AUS interviews note that Adivasis still encounter problems where their khas land certifications are being claimed by others.