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Maharashtra Forest (Amendment) Rules, 2019

Maharashtra Forest (Amendment) Rules, 2019

MAHARASHTRA FOREST (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2019

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 26, 32 and 76 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (XVI of 1927), in its application to the State of Maharashtra, and of all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Government of Maharashtra hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Maharashtra Forest Rules, 2014, as follows, namely:-

Rule 1.

 

These rules may be called the Maharashtra Forest (Amendment) Rules, 2019.

Rule 2.

 

In rule 10 of the Maharashtra Forest Rules, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as "the Principal Rules"), in sub-rule (10), an Explanation shall be deleted.

Rule 3. After CHAPTER VI of the principal Rules, the following CHAPTER shall be inserted, namely:-

 

"CHAPTER VI-A

RECORDING OF FOREST RIGHTS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SCHEDULE TRIBES AND OTHER TRADITIONAL FOREST DWELLERS (RECOGNITION OF FOREST RIGHTS) ACT, 2006 AND DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND.

(sec. 26 and 32)

30-A. Definitions-

(1)     For the purposes of this Chapter and the Schedules referred therein, unless the context requires otherwise-

 

(a)      "District Level Committee" means the District Level Committee constituted under subsection (5) of section 6 of the Forest Rights Act.

 

(b)      " the Forests Rights Act" means the Schedule Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007)

 

(2)     The words and expressions used in this Chapter and the Schedules referred therein, but not defined herein, shall have the same meanings ad respectively assigned to them in Forest Rights Act.

30-B. Recording of Forest Rights under the forests Act.--

Notwithstanding anything contained in rules 10 and 30, the forest rights recognized and vested under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act in the forest lands in the cases where the record of forest rights are finally approved by the District-Level Committee on to the holders shall be recorded and maintained as per the provisions contained in this Chapter.

30-C. Register of Individual Forest Rights.--

The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall maintain a "Register of Individual Forest Rights" in the form provided in the Schedule - F containing details of all forest rights recognized and vested by the District Level Committee on to any person in the forests, lands under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act.

30-D. Register of the Community Forest Rights.--

The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall maintain a "Register of Community Forest Rights" in Schedule - G containing details of all forest rights recognized and vested by District Level Committee on to group of persons as the community forest rights in the forests lands under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act.

30-E. Register of Use of Forest Rights of Self-Cultivation.--

The Range Forest Officer, himself or through any other subordinate officers, shall regularly monitor exercise of forest rights of self-cultivation during each cultivation season, and record the observations in a "Register of Use of Forest Rights of Self-Cultivation" in Schedule - H. The Range Forest Officer shall submit comprehensive report on exercise of forest rights during each cultivation season to the Deputy Conservator of Forests.

30-F. Register of Rejected Claims of Forest Rights.--

The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall maintain a "Register of Rejected claims of Forest Rights" in the form provided Schedule-I containing details of all claims of forest rights rejected under provisions of the Forest Rights Act.

30-G. Issuing copies of record of forest rights.--

The Range Forest Officer or any person not below the rank of Accountant or Forester, if so authorised in this behalf by an officer in-charge of the forests not below the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests, shall issue "Document of Forest Rights" in the form of provided in the Schedule - J in accordance with the entries updated, from time to time, as maintained in the registers prescribed in these rules to any holder of forest rights on his application in writing. The Document of Forest Rights shall be issued free of charge upto five copies in a financial year.

30-H. Transfer of Forest Rights by inheritance and Register of Mutation therefor.--

(1)     If any forest right entered in any of the register prescribed in this Chapter is to be transferred by inheritance as per the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, the person inheriting the forest rights shall make application in writing along with resolution passed by the Gram Sabha confirming the claim of inheritance to the Range Forest Officer in charge of the forests. The application shall be forwarded to the concerned authorised Assistant Conservator of Forests for order of mutation of forest rights.

 

(2)     The Chief Conservator of Forest/Conservator of Forests may authorise one or more of the Assistant Conservators of Forests serving in the Forest Division to pass such mutation orders in the Forest Division.

 

(3)     All orders of mutation of forest rights shall be entered in "Register of Mutation of Individual Forest Rights" in the form provided in the Schedule - K or in "Register of Mutation of Community Forest Rights" in the form provided in the Schedule L, as the case may be.

 

(4)     The relevant entries in the registers maintained as per these rules shall be duly updated in conformity with the mutation orders to incorporate names of successor right holders and other relevant details in the said registers.

30-I. Correction of mutation entries.--

Upon receipt of order of Court or succession certificate, the mutation entries shall be promptly corrected as per the order of the Court or succession certificate.

30-J Appeal.--

Any person aggrieved by an order of mutation passed by Assistant Conservator of Forest under these Rules may prefer an appeal to the Deputy Conservator of Forests.

30-K. Integral part of Register of Reserved and Protected Forests.--

The Registers of forests rights maintained under this Chapter shall be considered as an integral part of the Register of Reserved and Protected Forests maintained by the Forest Division.

30-L. Diversion of Forest land for Amenities.--

The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall maintain a "Register of Forest Land Diverted for amenities under the Forest Rights Act" in the form provided in the Schedule-M wherein the details of diversion of forests land as per the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Forest Rights Act shall be recorded.

30-M. Diversion of Forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.--

The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall maintain a "Register of Forest Land Diverted under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980" the form provided in the Schedule - N wherein the details of diversion of forest land as per the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980) shall be recorded.".

Rule 4. In SCHEDULE-A of the principal Rules, for paragraph 1 below the Table, the following shall be substituted, namely :--

 

"1. Above form shall be filled on the basis of the rights continued under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 15 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (XVI of 1927) or any privileges granted by the State Government. The exercise of these rights or privileges shall be subject to the conditions specified therefor".

Rule 5.

 

After SCHEDULE "E" of the principal rules, the following SCHEDULES shall be added, namely :--

 

" SCHEDULE - F

(See rule 30- C)

 

Register of Individual Forest Rights.

District:____________________ Forests Division: ____________________

Taluka: ____________________ Range: ____________________

Sr. No.

Village (or nearest village), Sheet No. of Survey of India 1:50,000 scale.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.).

Order No. and date of approval of Forest Rights.

Name of Forest right holders and 13 Digit code.

Scheduled Tribe/Other Traditional Dweller.

Area of forest rights granted (Ha.).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

 Purpose, details, terms and conditions and remarks.

Corner latitude and longitude and standing trees (number) in area.

Signature with date of Forest Surveyor

Signature with date of Assistant Conservator of Forests.

Mutation No. and date; and entry No. in Register of Mutation of Forest Rights.

Name(s) of Successor right holders along with change in area, if any, and abstract of the mutation order.

Signature with date of the officer who made entry of the mutation.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically):

Signature, Date and Name of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Note: The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents containing forest rights granted by the District-Level Committee, boundary demarcation done by the Land Record Department and geo-coded maps (digital and its print out duly authenticated) showing boundary of forest area under reference and area of forest rights granted. This record shall also include copy of subsequent mutation orders, and tree enumeration list containing species, girth at BH (at 1.37 meter above ground) and general condition of each enumerated tree.

 

SCHEDULE - G

(See rule 30- D)

 

Register of Community Forest Rights.

District:____________________ Forests Division: ____________________

Taluka: ____________________ Range: ____________________

Sr. No.

Village (or nearest village), Sheet No. of Survey of India 1:50,000 scale.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.).

Order No. and date of approval of Forest Rights.

Name of Forest right holders and 13 Digit code.

Scheduled Tribe/Other Traditional Dweller.

Area of forest rights granted (Ha.).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Purpose, details, terms and conditions and remarks.

Corner latitude and longitude and standing trees (number) in area.

Signature with date of Forest Surveyor.

Signature with date of Assistant Conservator of Forests.

Mutation No. and date; and entry No. in Register of Mutation of Forest Rights.

Name(s) of Successor right holders along with change in area, if any, and abstract of the mutation order.

Signature with date of the officer who made entry of the mutation.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically):

Signature, Date and Name of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Note: The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents containing forest rights granted by the District-Level Committee, boundary demarcation done and geo-coded maps (digital and its print out duly authenticated) showing boundary of forest area under reference and area of forest rights granted. This record shall also include copy of subsequent mutation orders, and species and girth class wise abstract of tree enumeration list done jointly on sample basis for all trees having 15 centimeter or larger girth at BH (1.37 meter above ground).

 

SCHEDULE - H

(See rule 30- E)

Register of Use of Forest Rights of Self-Cultivation

District:____________________ Forests Division: ____________________

Taluka: ____________________ Range: ____________________

Sr. No.

Year and season.

Village (or nearest village).

Schedule F Register's Entry No.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.).

Name of Forest right holders and 13 Digit code.

Area of forest rights granted (Ha.).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Crop raised: self cultivation.

Dry Crop (Ha. R).

Irrigated (Ha. R).

Means of Irrigation.

Use other than self-cultivation.

Area of other use (Ha. R).

Remarks and deviations, if any.

Signature of Forester/Range accountant.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically):

Signature, Date and Name of Range Forest Officer.

Note: The Range Forest Officer shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents.

 

SCHEDULE - I

(See rule 30- F)

 

Register of Rejected claims under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers

(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007).

District:____________________ Forests Division: ____________________

Taluka: ____________________ Range: ____________________

Sr. No.

Village (or nearest village), Sheet No. of Survey of India 1:50,000 scale.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.).

Order No. and date of approval of Forest Rights.

Name of Forest Right Holders and 13 Digit code.

Scheduled Tribe/Other Traditional Dweller.

Area of forest rights granted (ha.).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Signature with date of Forest Surveyor.

Area (ha.) in possession of claimant(s) on the date of the rejection order.

Date of recording claimant(s) voluntarily leaving area.

Date of starting eviction from the forests including court cases.

Signature with date of Assistant Conservator of Forests.

Date of completing eviction from the forests.

Signature with date and remarks of Assistant Conservator of Forests.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically)

Signature, Date and Name of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Note : The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents containing the order of rejection of the claims submitted under the Schedule Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and geo-coded maps (digital and its print out duly authenticated) showing boundary of forest area under reference and area of forest rights granted.

 

SCHEDULE - J

(See rule 30- G)

 

Document of Forest Rights

District :-________________ Forests Division :-__________________

Taluka :- ______________________ Range :- _________________

Village or the nearest village :-________________________ Beat :-_________________

Date of Issue :- ______________________

1. Legal status of forests :-

2. Site reference of forests

(Compartment/Block/Survey No.) :-

3. (a) Area of forest Rights for self Cultivation :-

---Ha. R./sq. meter.

(b) Area of forest Rights for habitation :-

---Ha. R./sq. meter.

(c) Other area for forest rights: specify the purpose :-

---Ha. R./sq. meter.

(d) Total :-

---Ha. R./sq. meter.

(e) Purpose of Forest Rights in 3(c) above

4. Government Forests owned by Maharashtra Forest Department :-

 5. Forest Right Holder's Name(s) and 13 Digit code (as on date of issue) :-

 6. Forest rights granted vide order No. and date :-

7. SCHEDULE-F Register's Entry No. (all entries) :-

8. SCHEDULE-J Register's Entry No. (all entries) :-

9. Other encumbrances and rights :-

10. Areas of forest rights remain forests owned by the Forest Department :-

Record of Crops

Year and season

Crop raised: self cultivation.

Dry Crop (Ha. R.).

Irrigated (Ha. R.).

Means of Irrigation

Use other than cultivation.

Area of other usage (Ha. R.).

Remarks and deviations, if any.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Seal

Name and Signature Range Forest Officer or Authorized Forest Officer.

 

SCHEDULE - K

[See rule 30-H (3)]

 

Register of Mutation of Individual Forest Rights.

District:- ______________________________Forests Division:-___________________

Taluka:- _________________________Range:-__________________

Sr. No.

Village (or nearest village), Sheet No. of Survey of India 1:50,000 scale.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.)

Order No. and date of approval of Forest Rights

Name of Forest right holders and 13 Digit Code.

Scheduled Tribe/Other Traditional Dweller

Area of forest rights granted (ha.)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Sr. No. in Register of Forest right holder Schedule -F.

Mutation Order No.

Date of mutation Order

Name of successor right holder(s).

Area of forest rights to successor right holder(s).

Abstract of Mutation order including legal encumbrances, if any.

Signature with date of officer authorized to approve mutation.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically):

Signature, Date and Name of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Note.-- The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents pertaining to transfer of forest rights such as application for inheritance, succession certificate, resolution of Gram Sabha and the mutation order including relevant map.

 

SCHEDULE - L

[See rule 30- H (3)]

 

Register of Mutation of Community Forest Rights.

District:- ______________________________Forests Division:-___________________

Taluka:- _________________________Range:-__________________

Sr. No.

Village (or nearest village), Sheet No. of Survey of India 1:50,000 scale.

Beat, legal status and site reference of forest area (Compartment/Block/Survey No.).

Order No. and Date of approval of Forest Rights.

Name of Forest right holders and 13 Digit Code.

Scheduled Tribe/Other Traditional Dweller.

Area of forest rights granted (ha.).

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Sr. No. in register of Forest right holder Schedule -F.

Mutation Order No.

Date of Mutation order.

Name of successor right holder(s).

Area of forest rights to successor right holder(s).

Abstract of Mutation Order including legal encumbrances, if any.

Signature with date of officer authorized to approve Mutation.

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

Verified by (periodically),

Signature, Date and Name of Deputy Conservator of Forests.

Note.-- The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall also maintain a comprehensive record of supporting documents pertaining to transfer of forest rights such as application for inheritance, succession certificate, resolution of Gram Sabha and the mutation order including relevant map.

 

SCHEDULE - M

[See rule 30- L]

 

Register of Forest Land Diverted for Amenities under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (2 of 2007).

District:-_______________________ Forests Division :-___________________

ID No.

Taluka

Range

Village

Survey No/Gut No.

Area Diverted

Order

No.

and

Date

By Whom

Agency

Purpose

Remarks

Initial

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

Verified by (periodically),

Signature, Date and Name Deputy Conservator of Forests.

 

SCHEDULE - N

[See rule 30- M]

 

Register of Forest Land Diverted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (69 of 1980).

District:-_______________________ Forests Division :-___________________

ID No.

Taluka

Range

Village

Survey No/Gut No.

Area diverted

Government of Maharashtra Order No. and Date

Government of India approval No. and Date

Agency

Purpose

Remarks

Initial

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)"

Verified by (periodically)

Signature, Date and Name Deputy Conservator of Forests.