Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Meghalaya Tree (Preservation) Act, 1976

General197612 sections

This environmental law regulates the cutting, burning, uprooting, or damaging of specified tree species in Shillong and other designated areas in Meghalaya. It applies to all landowners and residents in these designated municipal areas, making it illegal to fell protected trees on private or public land without prior written permission from the Divisional Forest Officer. Violators face monetary fines and the confiscation of their tools and felled wood. This legislation matters because it preserves the region's vital forest cover and ecological stability, ensuring trees are only cut down for valid reasons, such as disease, safety hazards, or routine agricultural maintenance.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title extent and commencement
  2. 2. Definitions
  3. 3. Restriction on felling of trees.
  4. 4. Appeal.
  5. 5. Penalty for felling trees in contravention Section 3.
  6. 6. Power of entry, search and seizure.
  7. 7. Bar against proceedings.
  8. 8. Exemption
  9. 9. Provisions of this Act to be in addition to any other law for the time being in force.
  10. 10. When court to take cognizance of offence
  11. 11. Power to make rules
  12. 12. Repeal of the Meghalaya Ordinance 1 of 1976.

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