Chapter I PRELIMINARY

(1) This Act may be called the Himachal Pradesh Land Preservation Act, 1978. (2) It shall extend to the whole of the State of Himachal Pradesh. (3) It shall come into force at once.

In this Act, unless a different intention appears from subject or context,- (a) “land” means land within any area preserved and protected or otherwise dealt with in the manner provided in this Act and includes benefits to arise out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth; (b) “cho” means a stream or torrent flowing through or from the mountainous ranges within Himachal Pradesh; (c) “tree”, “timber”, “forest produce” and “cattle”, respectively, shall have the meanings severally assigned thereto in section 2 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927); (d) “person interested” includes all persons claiming any interest in compensation to be made on account of any measures taken under this Act; (e) “Deputy Commissioner” includes any officer or officers at any time specially appointed by the State Government to perform the functions of the Deputy Commissioner under this Act; (f) “right-holder” includes- (i) persons not being tenants or mortgagees having rights to, or in land; and (ii) persons having rights of collection of forest produce or of grazing of pasture; and (g) “erosion” includes the removal or displacement of earth, soil, stones or other materials by the action of wind or water.