Bare Acts Live

Manipur Forest Rules, 1971

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Chapter I

Preliminary

(a) "Act" means the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927);

(b) "Adult" means a person who has attained the age of 18 years ;

(c) "Beat Officers" means Forest Officers/Officials-in- charge of the Forest Beat;

(d) "Chief Forest Officer" means such officer appointed by the Government of Manipur or the Head of Forest Department;

(e) "Forest Officer" means any Deputy Conservator of Forests, Assistant Conservator of Forest Officer, Ranger, Deputy Ranger, Forester or Forest Guard appointed by the Administrator as such to discharge any function of a Forest Officer under this Act, or any rule thereunder;

(f) "Forest offence" means an offence punishable under the Act or any rule thereunder;

(g) "Government" means the Administrator of the Union Territory of Manipur;

(h) "Protected animal" means animal to which the provisions of the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912 (8 of 1912) apply ;

(i) "Section" means a section of the Act;

(j) All words and expressions used but not defined in these rules shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Act.

Chapter II

Protection of Reserved or Protected Forests From Fire

(a) He shall give notice of his intention to burn at least one week before-hand to the nearest local Forests Beat office or the Forest Ranger office under whose jurisdiction such land lies.

(b) He shall clear a fire-belt at least 30 ft. broad on that side of the area which he proposes to burn and which is nearest to protected forest in such manner that no fire can spread across such belt.

(c) He shall not burn when a high wind is blowing.

(i) to extinguish any such fire ; and

(ii) to prevent by all lawful means in his power the spread of any such fire in the vicinity of such forest in it.

Chapter iii

Hunting and Shooting, Etc., In Reserved and Protected Forests

(a) the poisoning of rivers or their waters or other waters, the explosion of dynamite or other explosive therein, and the setting of crusives or basket traps for the purpose of killing or catching fish therein ;

(b) the setting of spring guns, snares or traps ;

(c) the catching wounding or killing of-

(i) game, other than carnivora, bear or pig over water, saltlicks or paths leading directly to saltlicks ;

(ii) such animals as may, from time to time, be notified in this behalf by the Government:

(a) in any reserved or protected forest or part thereof which has been closed under sub-rule (1) during the period for which it is closed ; and

(b) in the tract of forest specified in an order made under sub-rule (2) in respect of species of animals specified in such order.

Chapter IV

Pasturing of Cattle in Reserved and Protected Forests

(a) except within the areas assigned for such purpose by or under the orders of the Government or Chief Forest Officer ;

(b) without obtaining a permit from the Divisional Forest Officer which may be granted subject to the payment of the prescribed fees subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Chapter V

Reserving Trees in Protected Forests

Chapter VI

Cutting of Trees, Cultivation, Etc., in Protected Forests

(a) (i) No tree shall be girdled, pollarded or lopped of its branches.

(ii) No tree shall be wounded for the collection of gum and resin.

(iii) No tree shall be uprooted, burnt or injured in any other manner.

(iv) No tree other than that specifically marked for felling or permitted to be removed by a general order of the Divisional Forest Officer, shall be cut.

(v) No tree under 9 inches at breast-height shall be cut.

(b) All trees permitted to be cut shall be cut as close to the ground as possible.

(i) Grazing rights. - They may graze cattle in the area subject to the control of the Forest Department which may close the area or part of it to grazing from time to time for regeneration.

(ii) Wood rights. - They will have the rights of obtaining wood for their own buildings and for firewood and for wooden implements for their own use only but not for sale.

(iii) Hunting rights. - The State rules for the preservation of wild life will apply.

(iv) Cultivation rights. - The wet-rice cultivation of the villages within in the protected area will continue as before. They will have no Jhuming rights in general terms but may have Jhuming for certain crops at suitable places subject to the control and supervision of the Forest Department.

Chapter VII

Transit of Forest Produce

(b) No person shall cause diversion of the channel or obstruction on the banks or in the channel or any river used for the transport of forest produce except with the written permission of the Deputy Commissioner or the Chief Forest Officer.

(c) The Chief Forest Officer may order the removal of any obstruction on the banks or in the channel or the closure of any diversion of any river used for the transport of forest and to recover the cost thereof from the person or persons who caused the obstruction of the diversion or by sale of the forest produce causing the obstruction.

(i) a permit issued by a duly authorised Forest Officer allowing the holder to remove forest produce from a specified locality ; or

(ii) a certificate of origin (in the form prescribed in Appendix "A" in the case of forest produce from private lands for which nothing is due to Government. Such certificate must be issued by the owner of such land or his duly authorised agent and must bear such signature or stamp of the owner or his agent as has been previously registered in the Forest office and such certificate shall be produced by the holder at the revenue station specified therein to be dealt with as noted hereafter;

Note. - The certificate of origin must be issued in all cases whether owner himself or any other person removes the produce ;

(iii) a transit pass (in the form prescribed in Appendix "B") issued by a Forest Officer, in token of full payment of all amounts due to Government on account of the forest produce covered by it. In special cases, the Chief Forest Officer may permit the issue of transit passes by any person duly authorised by him :

(b) (i) Lac intended for export can be moved within a plain area or to a plain are from a neighbouring hill area without a transit pass or permit from the place of origin to the storage godown or premises of the purchaser, subject to the provisions of items (ii) and (iii) below.

(ii) All traders who at any time store lac exceeding 50 maunds in their godowns or premises must register such godowns or premises with the Chief Forest Officer. All trader in lac not coming under this definition will remain as theretofore under the conditions of Rule 33 (a).

(iii) All traders who register godowns or premises under item (ii) will pay the royalty due on lac brought to such godown or premises, other than lac covered by a certificate of origin within 7 days of receipt and receive a storage receipt for the amount.

(iv) Transit passes will be issued free on request for export of lac against storage receipt issued under item (iii).

(v) The stock held in registered storage godowns or premises is subject to check at any time by any Forest Officer and all facilities, etc., for such check must be given by the owners of registered storage godowns or premises.

(b) In the case of forest produce in transit covered by a permit or a certificate of origin and intended to be exported beyond the area within which it has been collected, a transit pass as prescribed hereinbefore, shall be obtained by the person in charge of such forest produce from the duly authorised Forest Officer in charge of a revenue station in exchange for the permit or the certificate of origin and such forest produce shall not be booked or moved by rail, steamer or boat unless covered by such transit pass. When the destination of such forest produce is within the area, the permit or certificate of origin shall be endorsed by the duly authorised officer-in-charge of the revenue station in token of full payment of all amounts due to Government and such endorsed permit or certificate of origin shall be deemed to be the transit pass required under these rules :

(b) No fee shall be levied for transit passes granted in respect of forest produce from private land covered by a certificate of origin ; in respect of forest produce covered by a permit ; or in respect of forest produce on which full royalty has been paid.

(b) A certificate in the form prescribed in Appendix "D" shall be granted for the registration of property mark.

(i) If he considers that the mark resembles too closely any Government mark or any property mark previously registered in favour of another person.

(ii) If the applicant or holder does not possess or in the opinion of the Chief Forest Officer is not likely to possess timber requiring to be marked with a property mark.

(iii) If on account of a conviction for any forest offence or for any other reason which come to the Chief Forest Officer to be sufficient, the holder or the applicant is not considered to be a fit person to be entrused with such marks.

Jiribam;

Jirimukh ;

Borobekra.

(1)	Imphal	Dimapur Road.
(2)	Imphal	Moieh Road.
(3)	Imphal	Ukhrul Road.
(4)	Imphal	Tamenglong Road.
(5)	Leimakhong	Pheidinga Road.
(6)	Mongjam	Maibakhul Road.
(7)	Imphal	Kangchup Road.
(8)	Heingang	Lamlongei Road.
(9)	Pangei	Pukhao Road.
(10)	Pukhao	Sawombung Road.
(11)	Imphal	Keithelmanbi Road.
(12)	Imphal	Tiddim Road.
(13)	Moirang	Sugnu Road.
(14)	Kakching Khunjao	Sugnu Road.
(15)	Pallel	Punjao Road.
(16)	Keirok	Machi Road.

Forest produce imported in the territory of Manipur

Forest Depots

(a) for examination previous to the grant of a pass in respect thereof under these rules ; or

(b) for determining the amount of money, if any, payable on account thereof Government, and for the payment of any money so found to be due; or

(c) in order that any mark required by law or by these rules to be affixed thereto, may be so affixed.

Property and transit marks

Stoppage in transit

Conversion of timber within one mile of forests

Exclusion of local areas from application of rules

Chapter VIII

Drift and Stranded Timber

(a) on account of salving and collecting the actual amount of recompense paid to the person who collected it;

(b) on account of storing, such fees as shall, from time to time, be fixed by the Chief Forest Officer, with the previous sanction of the Government for storing of timber at such depot;

(c) on account of moving the actual cost incurred in moving it to the depot for the reception of drift timber.

Chapter IX

Powers and Duties of Forest Officers and Revenue Officers

(a) issue orders and instructions to Collectors and Divisional Forest Officer;

(b) interpret the orders of the Government whenever any question arises as to the meaning of such orders ;

(c) settle matters in which any difference of opinion arises between the Forest Department and any other Department ;

(d) promote generally the harmonious working of the Revenue and Forest Department; and

(e) receive, consider and when such reference is necessary, refer to the Government, with his own views in each case, all reports respecting forest matters submitted to him, whether from the Revenue and Forest Department.

Working Plans,

Forest Settlements,

Afforestation and deforestation,

Rights and privileges,

Closure of forest areas in respect of grazing of other privileges,

Grazing fees.

Local supply of fuel, grass and grazing,

Jhuming,

Annual administration reports,

Recovery of forest revenue or outstanding under Section 82 and of penalties due under bond under Section 85 of the Act,

Supply of fire-arms,

Civil suits,

Thefts of Government money.

Chapter X

Contracts

(a) binds himself to perform the contract for which he tenders for bids, in the event of his tender or bid being accepted ; or

(b) binds himself not to withdraw his tender or bid during the time that may lapse before its acceptance or refusal is communicated to him ;

in case (a) on acceptance of his tender or bid ; or

in case (b) on the making of his tender or bid,

Chapter XI

Preservation Of Wild Life In Reserved Forests And Other Parts Of Manipur

(b) Netting, trapping or hunting by dogs of all animals or birds is prohibited throughout Manipur.

(c) No shooting or hunting shall be permitted within forest area on 26th January, 15th August and 2nd October.

(a) locality in which and period during which he wishes to hunt and shoot;

(b) the names of any companies and followers who will accompany him, who will not be armed, unless they have the requisite licence ;

(c) the species of animals he wishes to shoot;

(d) the number and type of each weapon and the kind of ammunition he proposes to use.

(a) Administrator, Manipur ;

(b) His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur;

(c) Judicial Commissioner, Manipur.

(a) the limit to the maximum number of animals, which may be shot during one shooting season, ending 31st May, fixed in sub-rule (7);

(b) any limit prescribed under sub-rule (5) fixing the maximum number of animals of particular classes, which may be killed in a reserved forest, group of forests or portion of a reserved forest, during a shooting season; and

(c) any limit fixed by endorsement of the licence in Form A.

(a) for holder of a licence in Form A, i.e., one gun	Rs.50.00
(b) a party of holders of licence in Form A not exceeding 6 in number :
For two guns	Rs. 30 each
For three guns	Rs. 25 each
For four guns (Maximum)	Rs. 20 each

(1) Elephant hire	Rs. 25. per diem per animal
(2) View permit fees	Re. one from 8 A.M. to 12 Noon Rs. 2 from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Note. - Sub-rules (4) to (14) apply to reserved forest only.

Chapter XII

Eviction

Chapter XIII

Rules for the Establishment and Control of Forest Villages

(b) Forest villagers who render free labour should be employed as far as possible in the vicinity of their villages. If labour is given under the preceding or succeeding paragraphs of this rule, in return for free produce, and if work cannot be found within a distance of five miles from the village concerned, it will be paid for at the current rate of wages. Labour should not be called upon during the cultivation or reaping season save in emergency which should be reported to the Chief Forest Officer and must be in connection with work other than domestic work in the household of any Forest Officer, and must not be on the construction or repair of latrines. This applies also to labour rendered under Rule 9.

Chapter XIV

Penalties and Rewards

(i) Manipur Government Order No. 53/6/64-M, dated 28th July, 1964 regarding the adoption of Assam Forest Manual;

(ii) Manipur Government Works and Forest Branch Notification No. I.F.R. 21/55-56, dated 1st October, 1958 regarding Preservation of Wild Life in Reserved Forests and other parts of Manipur ;

(iii) Manipur Government Works and Forest Branch Notification No. 55/6/64-M, dated 11th May, 1967 regarding Manipur Forest (Power of Forest Officers) Rules, 1966; and

(iv) Manipur Government Forest Department Notification No. 55/10/64-M, dated 25th May, 1967 regarding Manipur Forest (Transit of Timber and other Forest Produce) Rules, 1966.

(a) the previous operation of any such rule ; or

(b) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any such law ; or

(c) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment;

Appendix A

[Under Rule 33 (a) (ii)]

Certificate of Origin required for private timber or other forest produce

Ower on Agent

Appendix B

[Under Rule 33 (a) (iii)]

.......Division
..............Revenue Station

Transit Pass

Pass No . ....

1. Name and residence of the person to whom this transit pass is granted

2. No. and date of permit or Certificate of origin on which this transit pass is granted

3. Kind of forest produce

4. Locality whence collected

5. Number of species, packages or bundles

6. Measurements-cubic contents or weight

7. Marks-hammer or other

8. Rate

9. Amount paid

10. Place from which to be transported

11. Destination....

12. Route of transport..

13. Date of issue.........

14. Date of expiry..........

Issuing Officer
Designation........

Appendix C

[Under Rule 34]

List of Forest Revenue Stations

Appendix D

[Under Rule 41 (b)]

Certificate of registration of property mark

............Division

Divisional Forest Officer
or
Chief Forest Officer

Appendix E

Powers of Forest Officers

[Under Sections 72 and 76 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and under Rule 75]

Schedule

(a) The Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officer and all Sub-Deputy Collectors in Manipur may exercise the powers of Forest Officers for all the purposes of the said Act and Rules noted thereunder with respect of such reserved or protected forest within the limits of their charges, as may from time to time, be under the management of the Government.

(b) All Zilladars in Manipur may exercise the powers of Forest Officers for the purpose of Sections 52, 64 and 66 of the said Act with respect to such forests within the limits of their respective charges of the Revenue Department.

(c) All Officers of the Forest Department in Manipur are to be Forest Officers for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of Section 52 of the said Act.

Appendix F

Form A

Licence to hunt and shoot granted under Rule 80

(Fee Rs. 20)

Signature of Endorsing Officer

Signature of Endorsing Officer

Form B

Licence to visit Wild Life Sanctuaries under Rule 13

Form C

Annul licence for Jumias and others admitted in reserved forest under Rule 93

(a) Name of State/Territory.......

(b) Name of District.......

(c) Name of Sub-Division..........

(d) Name of Forest Reserve........

(1) You shall show with your crops the seeds of such forest trees in such manner as the Chief Forest Officer of Manipur directs.

(2) You may collect, free of any charge or royalty, building materials and 10 cart loads of firewood from the above forest annually.

(3) You are liable to render 10 days' labour, if called upon by the Chief Forest Officer or any officer authorised by him in this behalf, at the approval of local rates of wages.

(4) When you abandon cultivation, you may be allowed by the Chief Forest Officer to collect building materials and firewood required for your consumption on the condition that you shall maintain the forest seedling in such Jhum from being suppressed by weeds and you shall remain liable to render 10 days' labour at approved local rates of wages for a period of two years from the time cultivation is abandoned, and

(5) During the period for which this licence has been granted you shall have the use and occupancy of the scheduled land for the above purpose but you shall not have the right to transfer or lease it out.

(6) You shall shall have no right or title in the scheduled land beyond the said period of one year; but unless you are the Chief Forest Officer of Manipur shall on or before the 31st March, 20, serve the other party with a written notice to the effect that a renewal of the licence is not desired in respect of all or any of the scheduled land this licence shall be renewed for another year on the above conditions and/or such other conditions as the Government of Manipur determines.

(7) Should the Scheduled land or any portion of them be required for a public purpose, such lands or any portion of them shall be taken away from you by the Government of Manipur or Chief Forest Officer and in such cases, you shall only be entitled to receive compensation from the Government of Manipur for any houses and crops, actually standing on the land taken over and you shall not be entitled to any compensation for the land itself, which is the property of the Government of Manipur and not yours.

(8) For the purpose of preparing the scheduled land for cultivation and/or construction of your house you may clear them of jungle (provided that you do not cut down or lop branches from any Simul tree exceeding one foot in girth) but you shall not sell or remove for sale any timber unless your have prepaid the full royalty thereon.

(9) If you die during the year of this licence your heirs shall inherit your rights for the remainder of the year.

Chief Forest Officer

Accepted and signed

Signature of licence holder

In the presence of.

(1) .............