Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Kerala Forest (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Act 2003

Environmental200322 sections

This Act provides for transferring ownership of ecologically fragile lands in Kerala to the government. It covers lands with natural vegetation that are adjacent to existing forest reserves. The main goal is to preserve these areas from degradation to protect the ecological balance and conserve biodiversity within the Western Ghats. By giving the state control over these critical regions, the legislation ensures they are managed in a scientific and uniform way to sustain the environment and the species that depend on it.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title and commencement.
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Ecologically fragile lands to vest in Government.
  5. 4. Power to declare ecologically fragile land.
  6. 5. Ecologically fragile land to be deemed to be reserved forests.
  7. 6. Demarcation of boundaries.
  8. 7. Eviction of persons in unauthorised occupation.
  9. 8. Compensation of vesting.
  10. 9. Constitution of Tribunals.
  11. 10. Settlement of disputes by the Tribunal.
  12. 10A. Dispute Redressal in respect of lands having an extent of not more than two hectares.
  13. 10B. Constitution of the Ecologically Fragile Land Claim Dispute Redressal Committee.
  14. 11. Appeal to the High Court.
  15. 12. Power of Tribunal.
  16. 13. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Court.
  17. 14. Indemnity.
  18. 15. Constitution and functions of the Advisory Committee.
  19. 16. Ecologically fragile lands to be managed by Forest Department as per Management Plans.
  20. 17. Power to remove difficulties.
  21. 18. Power to make rules.
  22. 19. Validation and Transitory Provisions.

PDF: pending for this language.