(1) Any person, seeking a licence under these rules, shall make an application to the Licencing Officer in Form-I. The person seeking licence, shall pay such fee as may be specified by the Government from time to time, along with application. The fees paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
(2) The licence shall be granted by the Licencing Officer in Form-II after satisfying himself that the application is in accordance with all the regulatory mechanism in force for the time being and that the establishment of wood based industries will not have any adverse impact on forests. The licence will be valid for a period of five years.
(3) No licence for setting up new wood based industries within a distance of two Kilometres from the boundary of any ‘forest’ whether notified or not, shall be granted, except when it is required for Departmental use. The distance of two kilometers shall be computed from topo sheets as aerial distance as crow flies.