Power of Conservator to direct removal of constructions, etc.

The Conservator of Rivers may, with the previous sanction of the Collector of the district, by an order in writing, require the owner or occupier of any land within any such river-bed to remove any groynes, buildings, constructions, plantations, grasses, trees or other thing upon such land which the said Conservator may deem to be an obstruction to the course of the stream of such river; and it shall be the duty of such owner or occupier to act in compliance with such order within a time to be mentioned in such order: Provided that, in the case of the removal of any building being so ordered, it shall be open to the owner or other person in charge thereof to appeal, through the Collector of the district, against such order to the Board of Revenue within sixty days from the date of the receipt of such order; and in such case the order shall remain in abeyance until such appeal shall have been decided by the Board of Revenue. Notice of every appeal under this section, together with a copy of the petition of appeal, shall be sent by the appellant to the Conservator of Rivers at the time the appeal is sent to the Collector. Whoever fails to comply with any order issued by the Conservator of Rivers under this section shall be liable, on conviction before a Magistrate, to a fine not exceeding rupees one thousand, or, in default of payment, to simple imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months for every such offence.