How can an NRI protect inherited farm land from illegal encroachment or sale?

Distance makes inherited land a target, so protection needs active steps, not just hoping for the best. Practical measures: 1) Complete the mutation so the records clearly show your name; unmutated land is easiest to grab or quietly transfer. 2) Keep copies of all title documents, the will, mutation entries, and tax or land revenue receipts, and pay any land dues on time so there is a paper trail of your ownership and possession. 3) Fence or mark the boundaries and keep some visible activity on the land, such as a tenant cultivating it, since unused land invites encroachment. 4) Be very careful with any power of attorney; give only a limited POA and never a broad general POA that could be misused to sell the land. 5) Periodically pull fresh copies of the land records online or through a relative to spot any unauthorised change in the entries early. 6) If you see encroachment or a fraudulent entry, act fast with a local lawyer rather than waiting. Visiting once a year and keeping a trusted, accountable local contact go a long way. General guidance based on common NRI experience.