Definitions

In this Act, unless the contest otherwise requires— (a) “Cattle” means cows, oxen, bulls and calves and includes elephants, camels, buffaloes, horses, mares, geldings, ponies, colts, fillies, mules, asses, pies, rams, ewes, sheep, lambs, goats, kids and such other kinds of animals as the State Government may, by notification, specify; (b)-(d) [***] (e) “Forest Offence” means an offence punishable under this Act or under the rules and includes the abetment of a forest offence; (f) “Forest Officer” (i) any person whom the State Government or any officer empowered by the State Government in this behalf, may appoint to carry out all or any of the purposes of this Act or to do anything required by this Act or any rule made thereunder to be done by a Forest Officer, and who may be designated as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests, Deputy Conservator of Forests or Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plan Officer, Silviculturist, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forest Range Officer, Deputy Ranger or Forester; and (ii) Such other persons who are notified by the State Government to perform all or any of the functions of a forest officer under this Act or any rule or order made thereunder, but does not include Forest Settlement Officer. (g) “Forest produce” includes :— (i) the following whether found in, or brought from a forest or not, that is to say :- (a) timber, charcoal, caoutchouc catechu, wood-oil, resign, natural varnish, bark, Tussay Cocoon, lac, gums, roots of Patal Guruda, Mahua flowers, mahua seeds, myrabolans, Kendu leaves, sandal wood, tamarind, hill broom, Siali leaves, Siali fibres, Sal seeds; (b) wild animals and wild birds, skins, tusks, horns, bones and all other parts or produce of wild life; and (c) such other produce as may be notified by the State Government; and (ii) the following when found in or brought from a forest that is to say : (a) trees and leaves, flowers and fruits and all other parts or produce of trees not herein before mentioned; (b) plants not being trees (including grass, creepers, reeds and moss) and all parts or produce of such plants; (c) honey, wax and arrowroot; (d) peat, surface oil, rock, sand and minerals (including limestone, laterite; mineral oils and all products of mines or quarries); (h) “Owner” in relation to a forest, includes a mortgage in possession, lessee or other person having right to the possession of or enjoyment of the forest; (i) “Prescribed” means as prescribed by Rules made under this Act; (j) [***] (k) “River” includes streams, canals, back waters, creeks and other channels, natural or artificial; (l) “Rule” means any rule made under this Act; (m) “Sandal wood” means the wood derived out of any part of Chandan tree and includes chips, dust or powder of such wood; (n) “Timber” includes trees fallen or felled and all wood cut up or sawn; and (o) “Tree” includes palms, bamboos stumps, brushwood and canes.