APPENDIX E
POWERS OF FOREST OFFICERS

( Under Sections 72 and 76 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and under Rule 75)

 
1. Powers of forest and other Officers under the Forest Act:

The officers shown in column 1 of the schedule below are empowered to exercise the powers of Forest Officers under different provisions of the Act shown against them in the said schedule:

 



SCHEDULE
Class of Officers empowered. Section of Indian Forest Act,1927(XIV of 1927) Brief description of power.
1

2

 3
1. Deputy Rangers, Foresters, Assistant Foresters, Forest Guards, Forest Game Chaprassi, Forest Fire Watchers.
 56 Powers to take charge of forest produce which is the property of the Government of Manipur or confiscated by order of court .
2. Rangers, Deputy Rangers, Foresters in charge of Range of Revenue Stations. 57 Power to accept charge of confiscated property when the offender is not  known
    The above Powers and (a)   Power to permit in writing the acts mentioned in section 26 subject to such restrictions and conditions and to the payment of such royalty, fee or other charges as the Chief Conservator of Forests may fix.
    26 (2) (b)   Power to permit vehicles to use road in reserved forests subject to such restriction and conditions and to the payment of such tolls or permit fees as the Chief Conservator of Forests may fix.
    34 (a)   Powers to permit in writing the act mentioned in sections 32 and 33 subject to such restrictions and such conditions and to the payment of such royalty fee or other charges as the Chief Conservator of Forests may fix or may have been prescribed by the Government of Manipur.
      (b)   Power to permit vehicles use roads belonging to the Forest Department in open reserved forest subject to such restriction and conditions and to the payment of such tolls or permit as the Chief Conservator of Forests may fix.
    50 Power to receive payment on account of drift or other timber.
    61 Power to direct release of property seized under section 52.
3. Forest in-charge of Range offices. The above powers and 68 Power to accept compensation for Offences and to release property seized as liable to confiscation
    33 Power to take possession of forest produce and to sell such produce by auction for recovery of money due on his account.
    45 (2) Power to notify depots for reception of drift and other timber.
    46 Power to give notice of timber collected under section 45 I.F.A
    72 (1) Power to enter upon and survey any land, to compel attendance of witnesses and production of documents, to issue search warrants and to record evidence.
4. Forest Officers and Working Plan Officers. The above power & 25 Power to stop ways and water courses in reserved forest with the concurrence of the Deputy Commissioner of the District.
    26 (C) Power to regulate  the kindling or carrying of fire in reserved forests.
5. Chief Conservator of Forests All the above powers.  
       
   

2.   Further powers are also delegated as under :
        (a) The Deputy Commissioner, Sub-Divisional Officer and all Sub-Deputy Collectors in Manipur may exercise the powers of forest Officers for all the purpose 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 Jilladars in Manipur may exercise the powers of Forest Officers for the purpose of Sections 52, 64 and 66 of the said Act with respect of such forest 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.
   

3.   Powers of certain Range Forest Officers to issue  search warrants :

      Under clause (c) of sub-Section (1) of Section 72 of the Indian Forest Act,1927 (XVI of 1927) the Forest Officers not below the rank of Rangers are invested with the powers specified in the said clause, namely the power to issue a search warrant under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).