Provisions of Act to apply to protected forest on its ceasing to be so.

As from the date fixed in that behalf in the notification issued under Section 34-A of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (XVI of 1927) as applicable to the State of Madhya Pradesh declaring any forest to be no longer protected forest, the provisions of this Act shall apply to forest land or waste land as were comprised within such protected forest on 31st day of December 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the said date) as if such land was unoccupied land on the said date.