Power of the Government to redefine the limits of reserved forests in certain cases.

(1) While the description of the limits any reserved forest notified under section 16 is defective or is not clear in reference to existing facts, the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette declare their intention to redefine the limits of such reserved forest so as to remove the defect or to make the description clear in reference to existing facts. Such notification shall specify as nearly as possible the corrections which it is proposed to effect to the limits of the reserved forest. (2) On the issue of a notification under sub-section (1), the District Forest Officer shall publish in the official Gazette of the district concerned and in such other manner as may be prescribed by rules made in that behalf a notice (a) specifying the corrections proposed by the notification under sub-section (1); and (b) stating that any objections which may be made in person or in writing to the District Forest Officer, within a period of 30 days from the date of publication of the notice, will be considered by him. (3) After the expiry of the period referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (2) and after considering the objections, if any, received by him, the District Forest Officer shall submit to the Government the record of the proceedings held by him together with a report thereon. (4) The Government may, after considering the report of the District Forest Officer, by notification in the Official Gazette redefine the limits of the reserved forest, as proposed by the notification under sub-section (1), with such modifications as they think fit or without any modifications. (5) Save as provided in this section, it shall not be necessary to follow the procedure laid down in section 4 to 16 before issuing a notification under sub-section (4).