The Meghalaya Forest (Removal of Timber) (Regulation) Act, 1981
The Meghalaya Forest (Removal of Timber) (Regulation) Act, 1981
This law regulates the commercial transportation of timber outside the state of Meghalaya and the establishment of timber trading depots. It applies to anyone wishing to export timber or operate a depot, requiring them to obtain a license from a designated authority, which prioritizes resident citizens and tribal interests while excluding non-citizens and past offenders. This regulation matters because it prevents the unchecked exploitation of Meghalaya's forest resources, protects local tribal livelihoods from competitors, and ensures ecological preservation by setting strict size and species limits on exported wood, enforced by forest and police officers through search, seizure, and criminal penalties.
- 1. Short title, extent and commencement
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Removal of timber outside the State.
- 4. Application for License and its disposal.
- 5. License fee and period of its validity.
- 6. Appeal
- 7. Penalty
- 8. Power to direct submission of report or return.
- 9. Power to enter, search, arrest and detain
- 10. Searches and arrest how to be made.
- 11. Prediction of persons arrested and things seized.
- 12. Report of arrest and seizure.
- 13. Erection of check- posts.
- 14. Penalty for refusal of produce things or furnish information
- 15. Power to compound offence.
- 16. Hen Court to take cognizance of offence.
- 17. Bar of suit in Civil Courts.
- 18. Suit, etc., against authority, Officers or persons acting in good faith.
- 19. Officer and person to be public servants.
- 20. Effect of other laws.
- 21. Exemption
- 22. Power to make rules.
PDF: pending for this language.