Power to prevent commission of offence

Every Forest Officer and Police Officer shall prevent, and may interfere for the purpose of preventing the commission of any forest offence and shall have power to evict all encroachers and squatters from Reserved Forests or other lands under the control of the Forest Department and to confiscate or demolish any sheds or other structures put up in such lands. Forest Officers shall have the powers of the Police Officers for the purposes of investigation or prevention of forest offences and the collection of evidence.