Powers of forest officer

79. (1) Without prejudice to the powers conferred upon a forest officer under this Act, Government may, by notification, invest any forest officer with all or any of the following powers, that is to say :-

1. (a) to enter upon any land and survey, demarcate and make a map of the same;
2. (b) to compel the attendance of witnesses, production of documents and the materials of objection;
3. (c) to hold investigation into forest offence, and in the course of such investigation to receive and record evidence;
4. (d) to notify the seasons and manner in which fire may be kindled, kept or carried in a Reserved Forest or Forest;
5. (e) to grant permits referred to in the provisions of this Act;
6. (f) to give public notice of timber collected under section 45;
7. (g) to notify stations, depots for the receptions and sale of timber and forest produce;
8. (h) to take possession of property under this Act;
   • (i) to stop and check any vehicle suspected of being involved in a forest offence;
9. (j) to compound cases and charge compensation for damages caused by commission of forest offence.

1. (2) Any evidence recorded under clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be admissible in any subsequent trial before a Magistrate :