Residents of Aweil town have been warned that if they seize public land that is not theirs, they risk facing legal procedures.
Mayor Simon Tong Deng issued the order after several public lands were illegaly taken by locals.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Deng said the decree focused on the Maper Akot region, the most populated region in Aweil.
Since 2014, there have been 107 cases of illegal land grabs and the mayor said that the practice effects plans for development, and hinders construction of schools, police stations, and hospitals.