Section 31A: Constitution of Village Forest Committee for Joint Forest Planning and Management of Forest

(1) For the purpose of Joint Forest Planning and Management of forest, the State Government may by notification constitute a Village Forest Committees in respect of a village or group of villages.

(2) The Government may by rules provide for,—

(i) the powers, duties and responsibilities of Village Forest Planning Committee;

(ii) the conduct of elections to the Committee;

(iii) qualification and disqualifications of Members of Village Forest Committee;

(iv) the powers and duties of Forest Officer;

(v) preparation and execution of management plans;

(vi) protection, development and management of forest by the Committee;

(vii) sharing mechanism, audit and accounts;

(viii) appointment of administrators or administrative Committees;

(ix) settlement of disputes;

(x) monitoring and evaluation; and

(xi) any other matter incidental thereto.]1

1. Inserted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.

CHAPTER IV DISTRICT FORESTS