Vidhi Codex

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967

Environmental196797 sections9 chapters

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967 provides the legal framework for declaring, protecting, and managing reserved forests across the state of Andhra Pradesh. It applies to all citizens, landholders, and local communities residing near or within designated forest areas. The law empowers the government to reserve lands, restrict unauthorized clearing or settlement, and systematically investigate public claims regarding rights of way or land usage through designated officers. It ensures fair process by allowing appeals and providing compensation when rights are extinguished. This law matters because it balances environmental conservation with individual property rights.

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Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement –(1) This Act may be called
  2. 2Definitions -In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

Chapter II RESERVED FORESTS →

  1. 3Power to reserve forests -The Government may constitute any land as
  2. 4Notification by Government -(1) Whenever it is proposed to constitute
  3. 5Suits barred-Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no court shall,
  4. 6Proclamation by Forest Settlement Officer -(1) Where a notification
  5. 7Bar of accrual of forest rights and prohibition of clearings-
  6. 8Government.
  7. 9Powers of Forest Settlement Officer-For the purpose of an inquiry
  8. 10Claims to certain rights -(1) where the claim relates to a right in or
  9. 11Claims to rights of way, etc
  10. 12Forest Department under sub-section (3) of section 4 or where no such officer is appointed, to the Divisional Forest Officer.
  11. 13Appeals from the orders of Forest Settlement Officer -(1) Where a
  12. 14Settlement Officer shall proceed to deal with it in like manner as if it has been in the first instance admitted by himself.
  13. 15Notification declaring Forest reserved -(1) Upon the occurrence of
  14. 16Gazette, if any, and in the manner provided for the proclamation under section 6.
  15. 17No right acquired over reserved forest except as herein provided -
  16. 18Rights continued under section 11 not to be alienated without sanction
  17. 19Power to stop ways and water-courses in reserved forests -The
  18. 20Penalties for trespass or damage in reserved forest and acts prohibited in such forests
  19. 21Divisional Forest Officer shall give an opportunity to the person affected to make a representation against the order proposed to be made.
  20. 22Persons bound to assist forest officer and police officer-(1) Every
  21. 23Power to declare reserved forest as no longer reserved -(1) The

Chapter III PROTECTED FORESTS →

  1. 24Protected Forests -(1) The Government may, by notification, declare
  2. 25Power to close forest against pasture-(1) Where fire is caused
  3. 26Power to issue notification reserving trees, etc.-(1) The
  4. 27Power to make rules-(1) Subject to all rights now vested in
  5. 28Scheduled Tribes, from the operation of all or any of the rules made under this section.

Chapter IV CONTROL OF TIMBER AND OTHER FOREST PRODUCE IN TRANSIT →

  1. 29Power to make rules to regulate the transit possession of timber
  2. 30Government and forest officers not liable for damage to forest produce at depots and stations
  3. 31Persons employed at depots and stations bound to aid in case of accident

Chapter V POSSESSION OF SANDALWOOD →

  1. 32Possession of sandalwood under licence or mark -No person shall
  2. 32APossession of Red Sanders Wood- No person shall have in his
  3. 32BVehicles involved in smuggling Red Sanders Wood/Sandal Wood/
  4. 32CSections inserted by Act 15 of 2016, section 8.
  5. 32DRed Sanders Wood with private person
  6. 32EDivisional Forest Officer concerned.
  7. 33Forms and conditions of licence -The Government may make rules
  8. 34Power to cancel or suspend licence -The Divisional Forest Officer
  9. 35Appeal -(1) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Divisional
  10. 36Penalties
  11. 37Certain kinds of timber to be deemed property of Government
  12. 38Notice to claimants to drift timber -Where any timber is collected by
  13. 39Procedure on the presentation of claim to such timber -(1) When
  14. 40Disposal of unclaimed timber-Where no statement of claim is
  15. 41Government and their officers not liable for damage to timber
  16. 42Payment to be made by claimant before timber is delivered to him
  17. 43Power to make rules and prescribe penalty for contravention thereof

Chapter VII PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE →

  1. 44Seizure of property liable to confiscation and procedure thereupon
  2. 45Village Headman until the compensation for compounding the offence is paid or until an order of the magistrate directing its disposal is received.
  3. 46Disposal on conclusion of trial for forest offence of timber or
  4. 47Procedure when offender is not known or cannot be found -Where
  5. 48Procedure in regard to perishable property seized under section 44
  6. 49Appeal from orders under section 45, section 46 or section 47 -
  7. 50Property when to vest in Government
  8. 51Saving of power to release, property seized -Nothing in this Act
  9. 52Substituted by Act 15 of 2016, section 16.
  10. 53Power to arrest without warrant -(1) Any forest officer not below the
  11. 54Power to release on bond a person arrested -Any forest officer not
  12. 55Punishment of wrongful seizure or arrest -Any forest officer or
  13. 56Power to prevent commission of offence -Every forest officer and
  14. 57Proviso inserted by Act 15 of 2016, section 18.
  15. 58Operation of other laws not barred -Nothing in this Act shall be
  16. 59Power to compound offences -(1) Any forest officer, specially
  17. 60Presumption that timber or forest produce belongs to the Central or State Government
  18. 60AGovernment, such produce shall be presumed to be the property of the Central and State Government as the case may be, until the contrary is proved.
  19. 60BIdentifying illegally acquired property -(1) An officer not below the
  20. 60CSeizure or freezing of illegally acquired property- (1) Where any
  21. 60DManagement of properties seized or forfeited under this Act- (1)
  22. 60EGovernment may direct, to dispose of the property which is forfeited to the State Government.
  23. 60FForfeiture of property in certain cases burden of proof- (1) The
  24. 60GFine in lieu of forfeiture- (1) Where the competent authority makes,
  25. 60HProcedure in relation to certain Trust properties
  26. 60JConstitution of Appellate Tribunal -(1) The State Government may,
  27. 60KAppeals- (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the competent
  28. 60LTribunal and obtain a certified copy or any part thereof.
  29. 60MBar of Jurisdiction-No order passed declaration made under this
  30. 60NCompetent authority and appellate tribunal to have powers of
  31. 60RRectification of mistakes- With a view to rectifying any mistake
  32. 60SFinding under other laws not conclusive for proceedings under this Act
  33. 60TService of notices or order- Any notice of order issued or made
  34. 60UPunishment for acquiring property in relation to which

Chapter VIII CATTLE TRESPASS →

  1. 61Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 to apply -(1) Cattle trespassing in a

Chapter IX POWERS OF FOREST OFFICERS →

  1. 62Substituted by Act 15 of 2016, section 22.
  2. 62AForest Offences to be cognizable and nonbailable.
  3. 63Forest Officers deemed public servants -All forest officers shall be
  4. 64Indian Penal Code.
  5. 65Indem for acts done in good faith -No suit or criminal prosecution

Chapter X MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 66Revision -(1) The Government maysuo motuor on application made
  2. 67Power of Government to exempt any area from the provisions of the Act
  3. 68Power of Government to make rules -(1) The Government may, by
  4. 69Government may delegate powers-The Government may, by
  5. 70Conservator of Forests], or to such other officer or authority as they deem fit.
  6. 71Land required under this Act to be deemed to be needed for public
  7. 72Act, such land shall be deemed to be needed for a public purpose within the meaning of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

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