FOREST DEPARTMENT

CITIZEN CHARTER

2019
 CITIZEN CHARTER - 2019

TAMILNADU FOREST DEPARTMENT4

Forests comprise of complex ecosystems, and have a very important role to play
in environmental protection. Forests provide significant income and livelihood options for
millions of forest-dependent people. Forests provide a wide range of goods and
services. Degradation of forests will have adverse impact on various life support
systems such as water resources, agriculture, bio-diversity and environment. Vast
sections of the rural society, including a majority of the tribal, are dependent on forests
for their livelihood. Forests have to be managed sustainably for the livelihood security of
the humanity.

The Forest Department offers a variety of services to the citizens. Some of

which are listed below:

Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning

No offered persons document be contacted authority
1. Tree cultivation in Brings back productivity in Small and Ownership Forest Range District Forest
private lands fallow land in the form of marginal deed, patta, Officer Officer
(Raising of profitable trees; farmers chitta, adangal concerned concerned
Casuarina and
timber trees)

2. Tank foreshore Meets the fuel and small Members of Raised only Forest Range District Forest
plantations timber require -ments of local on panchayat Officer Officer
(Raising of the State; panchayats and concerned concerned
plantations) panchayat
75% of the net revenue union tanks
realised through sale of
these plantations is paid
to the panchayats towards
their share for taking
village developmental
works

3. Free supply of Mitigates air, noise Schools, Application in Forest Range District Forest
seedlings to pollution etc Colleges, plain paper Officer Officer
institutions Institutions concerned concerned
etc.

4. Grazing Cattle Grazing Public Fee Forest Range Forest Range

Goat - Not Officer Officer
([Link].47, allowed concerned concerned
E&F (FR13) Dept. Sheep - Free
dt. 03.03.2000) Bullock - Free
([Link].78, Buffalo - Free
E&F(FR-13) Dept. Donkey,
dt. 08.08.2006) Horse Rs.10/-
Elephant -
Rs.100/-

5. Possession of Can posses < 0.5 cu.m. Public - - -

Scheduled Timber quantity of scheduled
timber

> 0.5 cu.m. quantity of Public Apply for Forest Range District Forest
Scheduled Timber licensing the Officer Officer
possession concerned concerned
with the
certificate of
origin
Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning
No offered persons document be contacted authority
6. Red sanders retail Not more than 10 Tonnes Public / Any Application in Principal Chief Principal Chief
sale by any individual through individual plain paper Conservator of Conservator
department sale. Forests of Forests
([Link].169,
E&F (FR-IV) dept. (Rate 10% above last
dt. 10.11.2010 highest sale price)

7. Timber transit Moving of Timber from or Public Application in Forest Range District Forest
to by public a plain paper Officer Officer
with payment concerned concerned
41 species have been of the
exempted from Timber prescribed fee
Transit Rules, 1968 vide one cart load
Government Gazette No. Rs.10/-, per
41 dated 11.10.2017 lorry Rs.50/-
for karuvel
Silver oak has been timber and for
exempted from Timber other timber
Transit Rules, 1968 as per Rs.100/-
[Link]. 194, E&F
(FR-13) dept. dt.
01.08.2012.

(stay granted by Hon’ble

High Court vide W.P No.
27405/2012 filed by
Jayachandran dated
28.4.2016 against this
order)

8. Supply of teak at Temple authorities under Temple Application Principal Chief Principal Chief
concessional rates the control of Hindu authorities received with Conservator of Conservator
to temple Religious and Charitable under the recommen- Forests of Forests
authorities for flag Endowments, 70 cft. for control of dation from
mast and maintenance flag mast Hindu Hindu
maintenance irrespective of height Religious Religious and
and Charitable
Charitable Endowments
Endowment

> 70 cft. upto 350 cft. for Temple Application Principal Chief Government
maintenance authorities received with Conservator of of Tamil Nadu
under the recommen- Forests
control of dation from
Hindu Hindu
Religious Religious and
and Charitable
Charitable Endowments
Endowment

9. Sandalwood Possess or store Public Apply for form District Forest District Forest
possession sandalwood in excess of 5 1 permit in officer officer
kilograms plain paper
with
prescribed fee
with origin
certificate

10. Sandal wood Sale - - 1. No matured sandal wood trees are available at
present for extraction by the department.

2. At present a quantity of about 190 metric tonnes

available in sandalwood Depot which has to be
used for about 40 years. Therefore the action sale
of Sandalwood not conducted in Tamil Nadu Forest
Department.
11. Sandalwood retail - Individual Retail sale of sandalwood to the individual is
sale /Temple/Me restricted up to 2 kilograms and sale for Temples
dicinal and for other religious purpose up to 20 Kilograms
companies as per G.O.(Ms).No:17 Environment and Forests
(FR.4) Department, dated:20.02.2017

2
Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning
No offered persons document be contacted authority
Based on the applications for the sandalwood
supply received from the temples with
recommendations of the Hindu Religious and
Charitable Endowment Department and application
from Medicinal companies / Individuals, necessary
proposal is sent to Government for approval and
after receipt of Government order the sandalwood
is issued to the applicant.

12. Sandalwood Import of sandalwood into Public Apply for form Forest Range District Forest
Transit or export of sandalwood I / II or III Officer officer
from or to move permit in plain concerned
sandalwood from one paper with
place to another place in prescribed fee
the State with origin
certificate
13. Minor Forest Collection of MFP from Village - Forest Range District Forest
Produce (MFP) in Forest areas in TAP Forest Officer Officer
Forest villages. Councils concerned concerned
Management
Watersheds 25% of sale
proceeds to
be credited
to VFC Fund
and balance
distributed
among the
VFC council
members.

Village
Women's
Council MFP
allotment will
be given as
per fair price
fixed by the
VFCs (G.O.
Rt. No. 286,
E&F Dept,
dt.
25.09.1998)

Forest produce Non-Timber Forest Local people Certificate for Concerned Principal Chief
from Protected Produce (NTFP), small in and bona fide use Forest Range Conservator
Areas ,Eco-tourism timber, fuelwood etc. eco around the only and not Officer/Wildlife of Forest &
system services sanctuary for any Warden/District Chief Wildlife
area. commercial Forest Officer Warden
Subject to activities to be (As per
section 29 of obtained. Section 29 of
Wildlife Subject to Wildlife
(Protection) section 29 of Protection Act
Act Wildlife 1972 )
(Protection)
Act

14. Firewood in Joint Collection of firewood free VFCs - Forest Range District Forest
Forest of cost from Government landless and Officers Officers
Management forest areas attached to poor concerned
watersheds TAP villages households

15. Fodder and green Collection of fodder and VFCs - Forest Range District Forest
leaf manure green leaf manure free of members Officers Officers
cost from forest attached concerned
to TAP villages

16. Minor Forest Free of cost to tribals Tribals Application in Forest Range District Forest
Produce (MFP) to plain paper Officer Officers
tribals ([Link]. concerned concerned
No.79, E&F Dept,
Dt 29.04.2003)
17. Film shooting Film Shooting in non- Students, Application in Principal Chief Director of

3
Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning
No offered persons document be contacted authority
sensitive areas of RF individuals, plain paper Conservator of Information
institutions, Forests (HoFF) and Public
Organization for issue of Relation
s and Film NOC regarding
production areas other
units than those
notified as
protected areas
under Wildlife
Protection Act
1972)
Principal Chief
Conservator of
Forests & Chief
Wildlife Warden
- within the
protected areas
(issue of NOC)
18. Wildlife No member of the public - - - -
Possession can own a wild animal,
trophies or articles made
from wild animals except
with the previous
permission of Chief
Wildlife Warden.

19. Wildlife transport No person shall transport Public Application in Principal Chief Principal Chief
([Link].447, any wild animal within the the prescribed Conservator of Conservator
E&F (FRV) Dept. State or outside the State form Forest & Chief of Forest &
dt.19.07.1991) without the permission of Wildlife Chief Wildlife
CWLW Warden. Warden.

20. Wildlife Hunting Hunting of animals is - - - -

completely prohibited.
However Hunting of wild
animal is permitted in
certain cases under
section 11 and 12 of
Wildlife (Protection) Act
1972 by CWLW

21. Compensation to 1. Human death / Affected FIR, certificate Forest Range Conservator
Wildlife damages Permanent incapacitation Public of legal heir Officer of Forests
([Link].141, Rs.4,00,000/- and other Concerned Concerned
E&F dept. dated relevant
25.11.2016) 2. Major injuries records
Rs.59,100/-

3. Damage to crop
Rs.25,000/-per acre or as
per actual whichever is
less.
Coconut tree Rs.500/- per
tree.

4. Damage to Tiled /RCC

House / Thatched House

Fully damaged house

Pucca house Rs.95,100/-
per house

Kutcha house Rs.10,000/-

per house

Severely damaged house

Pucca house Rs.95,100/-
per house

Kutcha house Rs.5,000/-

per house
Partially damaged house

4
Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning
No offered persons document be contacted authority
Rs. 5200/-per house

5. Damage to Vehicle,
loss of cattle of live stock

Milch cattle Rs.30,000/-

Bullock Rs.25,000/-

Goat Rs.3,000/-
Sheep Rs.3,000/-
Poultry Rs.100/- per bird

Pig Rs.3,000/- or actual

value whichever is less.

6. Damage to Cloth /
House hold articles other
house hold

Actual loss or Rs.2000/-

whichever is less

7. Damage to shop
Rs.4000/-

8. Damage to irrigation or
drinking water wells,
electric motor Rs.2000/-

9. Vehicle compensation
Rs.2000/-

22. Visit to sanctuaries Wildlife awareness Tourists, - Concerned -

creation through low Students, Wildlife
impact eco –tourism. Indian Warden/
citizens District Forest
Officer

23. Visit to Tiger Wildlife awareness Tourists, As per NTCA Concerned -

Reserve creation through low Students, guidelines Chief
impact eco –tourism Indian Conservator of
citizens Forests & Field
Director

24. Research Study Undertaking research Students, Application in Concerned PCCF (Head
study by students Researchers prescribed Chief of Forest
institutions and scholars. , institutions format in Conservator of Force) in
etc. [Link] Forests & Field Forest areas
[Link] Director/ Chief
Conservator of PCCF &
Forests/ District CWLW -
Forest Officer/ within the
Wildlife warden/ protected
Deputy areas
Conservator of
Forests

25. Trekking Regulation of Trekking in Students, Apply in the District Forest PCCF and
(Regulation of Reserved Forests and Trekkers, prescribed Officers/ CWLW for
Trekking Rules Wildlife Areas Trekking format. Remit Wildlife Registration
2018) issued in Clubs, Tour the fee Wardens/
G.O.(D) No.296, E operators prescribed as Deputy
& F (FR14) Dept below for each Directors
dt. 12.10.2018. day / person concerned
Easy trek-
Rs.200/-
Moderate trek
– Rs.350/-
Tough trek-
Rs.500/-
For foreigners

5
Sl. Services Benefits Eligible Required Authority to Sanctioning
No offered persons document be contacted authority
Rs.1500/-,
Rs.3000/- and
Rs.5000/-
respectively

26. Tamil Nadu Eco To create ecotourism Does not Does not arise The Member The
tourism Policy opportunities for arise Secretary, Chairman/
2017 strengthening the Tamil Nadu PCCF &
conservation of the rich Eco-Tourism CWLW, Eco-
(G.O.(Ms).No.87,
natural and cultural Board, Panagal Tourism
E&F(FR.5) Dept. heritage of Tamil Nadu Building, Board,
Dated 28.06.2018 State and enhancing Saidapet, Chennai-15
suitable livelihoods of the Chennai.15
dependent communities.

While extending services to the public, the citizens are expected to adhere to the
following rules and regulations:-

2. Timber Transport

2.1. The following Acts and Rules regulate the tree felling and transport of timber
in Tamil Nadu.

 Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882.

 Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forest Act, 1949.
 Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955.
 Tamil Nadu Rosewood (Conservation) Act, 1994.
 Tamil Nadu Timber Transit Rules, 1968.
 Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules, 1967.
 Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Possession Rules, 1970.
 The Tamil Nadu Sandalwood trees on Patta land Rules, 2008.
 Tamil Nadu maintenance of Accounts in respect of scheduled Timber for
industrial or commercial purposes Rules, 1988.

2.2. To cut any tree in the areas notified under Tamil Nadu Preservation of
Private Forest Act, 1949 and Tamil Nadu Hill Areas (Preservation of Trees) Act, 1955,
prior permission should be obtained from the Committee constituted under the said Act,
under the Chairmanship of District Collector concerned. Petitions for cutting trees are
decided by the Committee, which may meet as often as necessary and there shall not
be more than two months interval between two meetings.

2.3. There is a ban on felling of trees of spontaneous growth in forest areas as

per the interim directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P. 202/95 dt. 12.12.96.

6
 2.4. According to Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, the following tree species are
notified as Scheduled Timber.

1. Blackwood
2. Red Sanders
3. Rosewood
4. Sandalwood
5. Teakwood

2.5. To remove the dead or wind fallen rosewood tree from any forest, which
includes waste land or community land containing trees, shrubs and roads, pasture land
and any other class of land declared by notification by the Government to be a forest,
prior permission should be obtained from the Collector under Tamil Nadu Rosewood
(Conservation) Act, 1994.

2.6. A permit in Form-II issued by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department shall be
obtained to move timber into or from or within the State. The permit shall be valid only
for the specified time mentioned in the permit by the permit issuing authority. No permit
is necessary for the transport of timber within the limit of Municipality or Corporation.
The following classes of timber which are exempted from the purview of Tamil Nadu
Timber Transit Rules and therefore, permit under Timber Transit Rules is not required to
transport them.

(1) Small wood for fuel and bamboo in head load.

(2) Firewood purchased from depot/market for domestic consumption

List of exempted species which do not require permit under the Tamil Nadu
Timber Transit Rules is exhibited in the forest department website
[Link]

2.7. No royalty is payable for teakwood and rose wood trees in Kanyakumari
District and Shenkottah Taluk of Tirunelveli District and also in the rest of the State.

Collection of road permit fee at check posts was abolished to enable the
unhindered usage of forest roads by general public.

2.8. Sandalwood sale, possession and transport

Sandalwood occurs extensively in the Eastern Ghats ranging from Vellore

district in the North East of Tamil Nadu to the Nilgiris in the west in the dry deciduous

7
forests of the region. In Tamil Nadu, only dead and drying sandal trees are uprooted
and brought to depots for rough and final cleaning.

The possession and movement of sandalwood in Tamil Nadu is regulated under

Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules, 1967 and Tamil Nadu Sandalwood possession
Rules, 1970. As per Tamil Nadu Sandalwood possession Rules, 1970 Rule 3(1), if any
person intends to possess or store sandalwood in excess of 5 kilograms, he shall apply
to the District Forest Officer in Form I and obtain a licence after paying the fees
prescribed in sub rule (7) of rule 4.

According to Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules, 1967, no person shall

import sandalwood into or export sandalwood from or move sandalwood from one place
to another place in the State unless such sandalwood is accompanied by either Form I /
II permit referred to in Rule 4 or by a Form III way permit referred to in rule 6. The
sandalwood must bear the mark of the Government Origin as provided in rule 7 of the
property mark in respect of such sandalwood.

The Forest Department issues the permits mentioned above after collection of
necessary fees.

2.9. Sandalwood trees in patta lands

Every person who grows trees on any patta land held by him as owner, tenant,
lessee and mortgage with possession or otherwise shall be the owner of such
sandalwood trees. The sandalwood tree grown on any patta land shall be sold only to
the Government. In order to encourage the private owners to grow more sandal wood
trees in their land, the Government notified separate rules called the Tamil Nadu Sandal
Wood Tree on Patta Land Rules, 2008. (G.O Ms. No140 Environment and Forests (FR-
4) Department dated 27.11.2018.

2.10. Sale of Timber

In Tamil Nadu, the trees from natural forests are not felled to cater to the needs
of timber. However, the dead, wind fallen trees are sent to Forest Depot, and sold in
public auction. The teak trees from plantation raised along canal banks in Thanjavur,
Tiruvarur, Nagapattnam and Villupuram districts, which have attained 30 years of age
and above, are extracted and sold in auction. The pulpwood plantations raised in forest
areas of Kodaikanal division and Nilgiris district are allotted to pulpwood industries for
harvest subject to the prescriptions in the approved working plan of the concerned
division.
8
2.11. Lifting the ban on movement of Timber outside the State of Tamil Nadu

Government have lifted the ban on movement of Timber outside the State of
Tamil Nadu. Hence any person can transport timber outside the State duly obtaining
the permit under Timber Transit Rules. There is a ban on movement of pulpwood from
Tamil Nadu to other States. The ban on movement of pulpwood to other states was
lifted vide [Link]. 81 Environment and Forests (FR-4) dated 28.3.2018. All species of
Bamboo are fully exempted from requirement of transit permit vide Government Gazette
No.353, dated 13.10.2018.

2.12. Biological Diversity Act, 2002

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was enacted by Parliament as part of

commitment to United Nations Convention on Biological diversity signed at Rio-de-
Janeiro on 5th day of June, 1992. The main objective of the enactment is 'Conservation
of Biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing
of the benefits arising out of utilization of the genetic resources'.

Salient features of the act,

(1) As per Section (3), previous approval of National Biodiversity Authority is to

be obtained for any biological resources occurring in India or knowledge
associated thereto for resources or for commercial utilization or for bio-
survey and bio-utilization.
(2) As per Section (58), all offences under this act are cognizable and non-
bailable.
(3) As per Section (55), the maximum punishment under the act is imprisonment
upto 5 years, or with fine upto Rs.10 lakhs.

The Tamilnadu Biological Diversity Rules 2017 was notified in G.O Ms. No.137
Environment and Forest (FR-5) dated 9.11.2017 and the rules came into effect from
6.12.2017 when it was published in the Tamilnadu Gazzette.

2.13. Tamil Nadu Regulation of Wood Based Industries Rules, 2010

The main objective is to regulate the functioning of sawmills. This rule has been
framed as per the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. The Hon'ble Supreme
Court of India in its judgement in IA No.276 dt. 29.10.2002 ordered to close all
unlicensed saw mills in the country. Further Supreme Court ordered that before
granting of license for running sawmills, previous concurrence of Central Empowered
Committee constituted by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India is mandatory. Now the
9
Government of India issued guidelines during 2016 for wood based industries an
subsequently amendments to the guidelines were issued during 2017.

As per this guidelines, the Licensing Authority of saw mills is District Forest
Officer / Wildlife Warden / Deputy Director of Tiger Reserve and the licensing authority
will issue license etc. only after the decision taken by the State Level Committee in their
meeting and no license for setting up new wood based industries with in a distance of
two kilometers from the boundary of any forest. The license is valid for maximum period
of 5 years.

3. FOREST CONSERVATION ACT, 1980

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was enacted for the Conservation of Forests
and for matters connected therewith which came into effect from 25.10.1980.

Diversion of forest land under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is required for
many purposes such as Electric Transmission line, Hydel, Irrigation, Mining, Roads,
Water supply etc. The concerned User Agencies are applying to the Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests directly for such diversion. After thorough scrutiny, the
applications are processed and orders are obtained from the competent authorities for
the diversion. Forest areas have been diverted in the State mainly for various
Government projects.

As per the guidelines issued in Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate

Change (Forest Conservation Division), New Delhi F. No. 11-232/2014-FC (pt) dated
24.07.2014, from 15th August 2014 onwards, all new/renewal forest clearance proposals
will be accepted through online mode only through the web portal designed by the
Ministry. The District Forest Officers/Conservator of Forests have been informed about
this Government of India guidelines and guide the User Agencies whenever they
approach them for Forest Clearance.

Steps to be followed for getting clearance under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
For Stage I approval

1. The User Agency has to file application through online with all necessary details/
undertakings/certificates.

2. If the proposal is in full shape, the proposal will be forwarded to the District
Forest Officer concerned for processing the proposal.

10
 3. The User Agency has to enclose Certificate obtained from the District Collector
about non availability of Non forest land for the project and completion of
process of Forest Rights Act under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional
Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006.

4. After field inspection, the District Forest Officer has to record his
recommendation in the prescribed format along with necessary details and
forward the proposal to Conservator of Forests.

5. The Conservator of Forests has to record his recommendation and forward the
proposal to Nodal Officer of Forest (Conservation) Act, Office of the Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests.

6. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has to forward the proposal along
with the recommendation of Nodal Officer of Forest (Conservation) Act to the
State Government.

7. The State Government has to forward the proposal to the Government of India,
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. If the diversion area is
below 40 hectares, the proposal has to be taken up at Regional Office at
Chennai or otherwise it will be forwarded to Government of India, New Delhi
office.

8. If the diversion area is below 5 hectares, the proposal will be considered by the
Regional Office. For the proposal of forest area diversion of above 5 hectares,
the Regional Empowered Committee constituted at Regional level will consider
and approve the proposal and issue Stage I clearance with certain conditions if
the proposal is viable.

Normally the following conditions are imposed.

a) The User Agency has to hand over and mutate Compensatory land of Non forest
land twice in extent in favour of Forest Department.

b) The User Agency has to deposit Compensatory Afforestation cost along with
maintenance and protection of plantation as fixed by the Forest Department.

c) The User Agency has to deposit the Net Present Value of the Forest land to be
diverted as per the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

11
 d) The User Agency has to demarcate the forest land by erecting cement concrete
pillars at an interval of 20 meters and to furnish Geo reference reading of the
site.

e) The User Agency has to furnish undertakings to deposit additional Net Present
Value of forest land if any revised by the Supreme Court of India.

f) If tree felling of Spontaneous tree growth available in the proposed forest area,
orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has to be obtained by the User Agency
for processing the forest clearance proposal.

Stage-II approval.

After fulfillment of Stage I conditions by the User Agency, compliance report will
be sent to Government of India for getting Stage II final approval.

Government of India will accord Stage II final approval, after reconciliation of

funds deposited by the User Agency with State CAMPA Account.

State Government will accord Government Orders for forest area diversion.

After issue of State Government orders, enter upon permission will be issued by
the District Forest Officer to the User Agency.

If the forest land diversion is below 1 hectare for the works specified for critical
development and security related works, the State Government will accord permission.

SECTIONS PERTAINING TO NOTIFYING AN AREA AS RESERVED FORESTS

UNDER TAMIL NADU FOREST ACT, 1882

CHAPTER SEC TITLE SALIENT CONTENTS

II Reserved 3 Power to The Government may constitute any land at the
Forests Reserved Forests disposal of Government as a Reserved Forests
(RF) in the manner hereinafter provided.
4 Notification by Publication of notification of the proposal, in the
Government Official Gazette and Official Gazette of the District
to constitute any land as Reserved Forests (a)
specifying the situation and limits of such lands
(b) declaring that it is proposed to constitute such
land as Reserved Forests (c) appointing a Forest
Settlement Officer (FSO) to enquire into and
determine the existence and nature of any rights

12
CHAPTER SEC TITLE SALIENT CONTENTS
claimed by or alleged to exist in favour of any
person over the said land or to any forest produce
and to deal with the same as provided in this
chapter.
5 Suits barred Except a hereinafter provided, no Civil Court shall
between the dates of publication of notification
under Section 4 (U/S 4) and the notification to be
issued under Section 16 entertain any suit to
establish any right in or over any land or to the
forest produce of any land, included in the
notification published U/S 4.
6 Proclamation by On notification Under Section 4, Forest
FSO Settlement Officer shall publish in the Official
Gazette of the district at headquarters of each
taluk in which the land included in such
notification is situated and in every town and
village in the neighbourhood of such and,

a) proclamation specifying the situation and limits

of the land proposed to be notified as Reserved
Forests
b) setting forth the substance of the provisions of
Section 7
c) explaining the consequences which will ensure
on the reservation of such forest and
d) fixing a period of not less than three months
from the date of publication of the proclamation,
requiring every person claiming any right referred
in Section 4 either to present a written notice, or
to appear before him within such period and state
the nature of such right, along with producing all
proofs in support thereof. The Forest Settlement
Officer shall also serve a notice to the same effect
on every known or reputed owner or occupier of
any land included in or adjoining the land
proposed to be constituted as Reserved Forests.
7 Bar of accrual of During the interval between the publication of
forest rights, proclamation Under Section 6 and the date fixed
prohibition of
by notification Under Section 16, no right shall be

13
CHAPTER SEC TITLE SALIENT CONTENTS
clearings etc. acquired in or over the land included in the
proclamation, except under a grant or contract in
writing, made or entered into by or on behalf of
the Government or by on behalf of such person
whom such right or power to create the same was
vested when the proclamation was published, or
by succession from such person. No fresh
clearings or cultivation shall be made on such
land. No patta shall, without the previous sanction
of the Board of Revenue be granted on behalf of
Government in such land.
8 Enquiry by FSO The Forest Settlement Officer shall take down in
writing all settlements made Under Section 6 and
shall enquire into all claims made, recording the
evidence in the manner prescribed by the Code of
Civil Procedure (CCP) in appealable cases.
Forest Settlement Officer shall at the same time
consider and record any objection, which the
Forest Officer (if any) appointed Under Section 4
may make to such claim.
9 Powers of FSO For the purpose of such enquiry, the Forest
Settlement Officer may exercise a) power to enter
by himself or his authorized office for the purpose
upon any land, and to survey demarcate and
make a map of the same b) the powers conferred
on a Civil Court by the CCP for compelling the
attendance of witness and the production of
documents.
10 Claims to rights In the case of a claim to a right in or over any land
of occupancy and other than the following rights a) right of way, b)
ownership
right to a water course or to use of water, c) right
to pasture or d) right to forest produce, the Forest
Settlement Officer shall pass order, specifying the
particulars of the claim, either admitting or
rejecting the same wholly or in part.
1) Admitted claims: The Forest Settlement
Officer may 1) come to an agreement with the
claimant the surrender of the right 2) exercise the
land from the limit of the forests 3) proceed to
14
CHAPTER SEC TITLE SALIENT CONTENTS
acquire the land in the manner provided by the
Land Acquisition Act, 1870.
2) Appeals on Rejected claims: In case of
rejected claims, the claimant may, within 30 days
from the date of order, prefer an appeal to the
District Court in respect of such rejection only
provided that the Government may extend the
period for such an appeal as may seem just and
reasonable by an order under the signature of
one of the Secretaries to Government.
3) Appeal by a Forest Officer: In case of
admitted claims, a like appeal may be preferred
on behalf of Government by the Forest Officer
appointed Under Section 4.
11 Claims to rights in the case of claims referred in a) to d) Under
of way, Section 10, Forest Settlement Officer shall pass
watercourse
an order admitting or rejecting the claim wholly or
pasture and to
forest produce in part, specifying the nature, incidents and extent
of the rights. If such admitted right is for the
beneficial enjoyment of any land or buildings, he
shall record the designation, position and extent
of such land and the designation, position of such
buildings.
12 Provision for In case of rights admitted Under Section11, the
rights to pasture Forest Settlement Officer shall provide for the
or to forest
exercise of such right by defining the extent of the
produce admitted
right, which is continued and the mode in which it
may be exercised.
13 Communication Whenever any right to pasture or to forest
of such rights produce admitted Under Section 12 is not
provided for in one of the ways prescribed in
Section 12, the Forest Settlement Officer shall
commute such right by paying a sum in lieu
thereof or with the consent of the claimant, by the
grant of right in or over land or in such other
manner as such officer thinks fit.
14 Appeal for order The claimant or the Forest Officer appointed
passed U/s11,12 Under Section 4 may within 60 days from the date
and 13
of order passed by the Forest Settlement Officer
15
 CHAPTER SEC TITLE SALIENT CONTENTS
Under Section 11, 12 and 13 present an appeal to
a forest court, If constituted, or to such officer of
the Revenue Department appointed by the
Government to hear appeals from such orders.
15 Appeal Under Appeal Under Section 14 shall be made in writing
Section 14 and to be delivered to the Forest Settlement
Officer, who shall without delay forward it to the
appellate authority.
16 Notification When the following events have occurred, namely
declaring as a) if period fixed Under Section 6 for preferring
Reserved Forests
claims has elapsed and claims made have been
disposed by the Forest Settlement Officer.
b) if such claims have been made, the periods
fixed by Sections 10 and 14 for appeal has
elapsed and all appeals presented have been
disposed by the appellate authority.
c) All the proceedings prescribed in Section 10
have been taken; the Government may publish a
notification in the official Gazette declaring the
area to be reserved from the date to be fixed by
such notification. The Forest Settlement Officer
shall, before the date so fixed, publish such
notification for the date so fixed. Such forest shall
be deemed to be a Reserved Forests from the
date so fixed.
III. Protection of 26 Power to make The Government may, for any district or portion of
land at the rules a district make rules to regulate the use of
disposal of
pasturage of the natural produce of land at the
Government not
included in RF disposal of Government and not included in the
Reserved Forests.

4. DOs & DON'Ts in PROTECTED AREAS

4.1. Restriction on entry into a Sanctuary:

Under section 27 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 No person other than,

(a) A public servant on duty

(b) A person who has been permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden or the
authorized officer to reside within the limits of the sanctuary.
16
 (c) A person who has any right over immovable property within the limits of the
sanctuary.

(d) A person passing through the sanctuary along a public highway and

(e) The dependents of the person referred to in Clause (a),(b) or (c)

Shall enter or reside in the sanctuary except under and in accordance with
the conditions of a permit granted under section 28

DOs

 Every person shall, so long as he resides in the sanctuary, be bound to

prevent the commission of an offence in the sanctuary, against this Act and
where there is reason to believe that any such offence against this Act has
been committed in such sanctuary to help in discovering and arresting the
offender.

 To report the death of any wild animal and to safeguard it remains until the
Chief Wildlife Warden or the Authorized Officer takes charge thereof.

 To extinguish any fire in such sanctuary of which he has knowledge or

information and to prevent from spreading by any lawful means in his power,
any fire within the vicinity of such sanctuary of which he has knowledge or
information.

DON'Ts

 No person shall tease or molest any wild animal or litter the grounds of
sanctuary.
 No person is allowed inside the sanctuary to destroy any wildlife or forest.
 No person is allowed inside the sanctuary to set fire or kindle any fire, or leave
any fire burning inside the sanctuary.
 No person is allowed inside the sanctuary with a weapon without the previous
permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden.
 No person shall use chemical explosives or any other materials which cause
injury to endanger / wild animals.
 No grazing is permitted inside the sanctuary.
 No damage to habitat be done by littering,use of plastic, consumption of liquors
and smoking etc.

17
4.2. Transit permission

 As per Wildlife (Transit) (Tamil Nadu) Rules, 1991, [Link].447, E&F (FR-V)
Dept. dt. 19.07.91, no person shall transport any wild animal within the State or
outside the State unless the previous permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden or
an authorized Officer.

 The applicant should fill up the prescribed form mentioning the place from where
the animal is to be transported along with date from which transported, route,
etc.

 If the Chief Wildlife Warden is satisfied with the applicant’s authenticity, the Chief
Wildlife Warden may grant permission to transport the wild animal with
prescribed time limit.

 As per [Link].11, E&F (FR-V) dept. dt. 08.02.2018, transit fee for elephant
Rs.600/- and Rs.300/- for other Scheduled-I animals which will be effective from
12.2.2018.

5. TRANSPARENCY

Right to Information Act 2005

The Right to Information Act was passed by Parliament to enable citizens to

exercise their fundamental right to information held by public authorities all over the
country (except Jammu and Kashmir.) The Right to Information Act aims to bring about
transparency in the functioning of public authorities to contain corruption and hold
Government and their instrumentalities accountable to people. It creates a process for
providing information to people. The Right to Information Act places duty on offices to
provide information to people both proactively and upon request. It provides for a two –
tier appeal mechanism to deal with complaints of unreasonable denial of information by
public authorities. This law will have an overriding effect vis-a-vis the official Secrets Act,
1923 and all other laws and orders passed by Government that restrict information
flow to people.

18
Right to Information Act, 2005

O/o the Additional

Principal Chief
Office of the
Office of the Principal Conservator of
District Forest
Designation Chief Conservator of Forests /Chief
Officer / Wildlife
Forests Conservator of
Warden, etc.,
Forests / Conservator
of Forests
Public Information
Joint Director Superintendent Superintendent
Officers
Additional Principal
Chief Conservator of District Forest
Conservator of Forests
Forests /Chief Officer/Wildlife
Appellate Authorities (Forest Extension and
Conservator of Forests warden
Publicity )
/Conservator of Forests concerned
concerned

Time limits: Section – 7

 30 days from the date of application.

 48 hours for information concerning the life and liberty of a person.
 Time taken for calculation of fees and intimation of the same to the applicant will
be excluded from the 30 days period.

Fees:

For providing the information under sub–section (1) of section 7 of the Act, a fee
shall be charged by way the of proper receipts or by demand draft or banker’s cheque
payable in the head of account, as specified by the Public Authority for followings rates

 rupees two for each page ( in A-4 or A-3 size paper) created or copied;
 actual charge or cost price of a copy in large size paper;
 actual cost or price for samples or models ; and
 for inspection of records, no fee for the first hour, and a fee for rupees five for
every one hour (or fraction thereof) thereafter.

For providing the information under sub-section (5) of section 7, the fee shall be
charged by way of cash against proper receipts or by demand draft or cheque payable
in the head of account, as specified by the Public Authority for following rates:-

 for information provided in diskette or floppy rupees five per diskette or

floppy;
 for information provided in printed form at the price fixed for publication.

19
Publicity on project execution

In all the scheme execution areas, hoardings are erected providing information
of the respective schemes, cost of the scheme, progress made etc.

Open auction

Sales of timber, minor forest produce, fuel wood, etc., are conducted in open
auction and total transparency is maintained in all aspects.

6. GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL MECHANISM

Grievances Day

In order to redress the grievances of the public, "Grievance day" is being

conducted in the Forest Department, as indicated below:

1) O/o Forest Range Officer - Once in 15 days

2) O/o District Forest Officer - Once in a month
3) O/o Chief Conservator of Forests - Once in two months
4) Head quarters - Every month: First
Deputy Director, Friday of the month
O/o the Principal Chief Conservator of 3.00 PM to 5.45 P.M
Forests at 9th floor (Library)

Grievance Cell

Grievance cell has been opened at district / circle / head office level to redress
the grievances.

Chief Minister’s Cell Petitions

All petitions / grievances received from Chief Minister’s Cell are being followed
up and reviewed by Deputy Director, O/o the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
who has been nominated as Nodal Officer in respect of Chief Minister’s Cell petitions.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMMITTEE

Under the provision of section of the Sexual Harassment of women at work

place (Prevention, prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, a committee known as Internal
Complaints Committee has been formed as follows.

20
 Chairperson : MITA BANERJEE ,IFS
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests (Information Technology)

Members : 1. Tmt. C. Kasturi

Personal Assistant (Establishment)
O/o the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests, Chennai- 15

2. Tmt. A. Thiripurasundari
Superintendent,
O/o the Principal Chief Conservator of
Forests, Chennai- 15

Member from amongst Dr. [Link],

NGO/ associates Women and Child Development Specialist,
Karupa Institute of Development Initiatives

The committee is to effectively address work place sexual Harassment,

complaints, enquire into the same as per relevant act and prepare the report with
findings /recommendations to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of
Forest Force/Head of Department).

7. WEBSITE OF FOREST DEPARTMENT

Information about Tamilnadu Forest Department can be accessed from

department’s website at [Link]

DINDIGUL [Link]
MINISTER FOR FORESTS

21