CHAPTER VIII

DRIFT AND STRANDED TIMBER

( Section 51 )

 
Collection of drift and stranded timber and disposal of. 68. (1) Any person may collect timber of any description set forth in section 45 and pending bringing of the same to the proper depot for reception of drift timber may keep the same in his own custody, but he shall report his having done so within twenty four hours to the nearest Forest Office.

 

 
    (2) Forest Officer in-charge of the Range in which the timber has been found shall, pending completion of the proceedings under sections 46 to 48, take possession of the timber and unless in his opinion, the probable proceeds of the sale of timber are not likely to exceed the cost incurred on collecting it, together with the cost of transporting it to a depot appointed for the reception of drift timber, he shall convey the timber to such depot.


 
Registration of boats for salving and collecting timber. 69. Any person may register in the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests one or more boats for use on salving and collecting timber on payment of a fee of one rupee for each boat. Such registration shall hold good for the period of one year only but be renewed from year to year.

 

 
Persons collecting timber entitled to recompense. 70. Every person whether Forest Officer or not who collects any such timber shall be entitled to receive recompense equal to 50 percent of the estimated value of the timber. Such estimate shall be made by the Forest Officer whom the Chief Conservator of Forests especially authorizes in this behalf and the recompense shall be paid at once by the Government .

 

 
When collected timber belongs to private person such person to pay all costs. 71. If the timber collected shall be proved to be the property of any person other than the Government of Manipur, such person shall be liable to pay to the Government under Section 50 of the Act the following amounts viz:  
    (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 Conservator of Forests with the previous sanction of the Government for storing of timber at depot.

 

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


 
  72. No person other than Forest Officer authorized in his behalf by 
the C.C.F shall mark any timber to which the rules in this 
chapter apply.
No person other than authorised Forest Officer to mark timber.