Vidhi Codex

The Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975

The Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975

Environmental197527 sections

The Maharashtra Private Forests Acquisition Act 1975 transfers ownership of all private forests in Maharashtra to the state government, declaring them reserved forests. It applies to private forest owners, agricultural tenants, and state authorities. While exempting limited cultivated lands, the law extinguishes private rights in exchange for cash compensation. This legislation matters because it allows the government to scientifically manage these lands, prevent environmental degradation, and distribute forest produce to support agriculture, rural employment, and marginalized communities. Additionally, it establishes a formal mechanism for resolving ownership disputes and managing forest tracts declared in the public interest.

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  1. 1. Short title, extent, and commencement.
  2. 2. Definitions.
  3. 3. Vesting of private forests in State Government.
  4. 4. Step to be taken by Government on acquisition of private forests.
  5. 5. Power to take over possession of Private Forests.
  6. 6. Settlement of disputes.
  7. 7. Payment of amount to owners of private forests.
  8. 8. Application for payment of amount.
  9. 9. Collector to determine amount.
  10. 10. Manner in which amount to be paid.
  11. 11. Deduction of amount of encumbrances from amount payable to owner.
  12. 12. Payment of amount for extinguishment of rights of other persons.
  13. 13. Appeals.
  14. 14. Procedure before Tribunal.
  15. 15. Limitation.
  16. 16. Court fees.
  17. 17. Finality of award and decision of Tribunal.
  18. 18. Revision.
  19. 19. Inquiries and proceedings before Collector and Tribunal to be judicial proceedings.
  20. 20. Indemnity.
  21. 21. Declaration of certain lands as private forests.
  22. 21A. Saving of certain afforested lands.
  23. 22. Owner of private forest to deliver records to authorised officers.
  24. 22A. Restoration of forest land to owner in certain circumstances.
  25. 22B. Power of Collector to grant private forest vested in the State for public purpose in certain cases.
  26. 23. Power to make rules.
  27. 24. Repeal of sections 34A to 37 of Forest Act.

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