Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969
No: 5 Dated: Apr, 11 1969
THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR PRESERVATION OF SPECIFIED TREES ACT, 1969
(Act No. V of 1969)
An Act to make provision for the preservation of certain species of trees and for regulation of felling and export thereof.
Whereas certain species of trees growing in the State are the main sources of raw material for the specialized industry of Kashmir Art, or are otherwise of vital importance for the economy, prosperity and welfare of a large section of citizens of the State; and
Whereas it is necessary in the public interest to make special provision for the growth, preservation and protection of such species of trees and for other-matters connected therewith;
It is hereby enacted by the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature in the Twentieth Year of the Republic of India as follows
1. Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969.
(2) It shall extend to the whole of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(3) It shall come into force on the date it is published in the Government Gazette.
2. Definitions. - In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) 'fell' or 'felling' includes topping, lopping, girdling or otherwise damaging a specified tree;
(b) 'goods of Kashmir Art' means articles of wood carving, paper machie, wood work and such other articles as may be declared by notification by the Government as goods of Kashmir Art-for purposes of this Act;
(c) 'prescribed' means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(d) 'prescribed authority' means the authority notified as such by the Government and different authorities may be notified for different provisions of this Act;
(e) specified tree means walnut and includes such other species of tree whether standing on the State land or private land as may be notified by the Government in the Government Gazette, but does not include such trees growing in demarcated forest as defined in Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act, 1987;
(f) 'timber' means wood of any specified tree whether in logs or cut up in pieces or in any other form but does not include Finished goods of Kashmir Art made of such wood.
3. Restriction on felling. - Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for die time being in force, no person shall fell any specified tree except under and in accordance with the terms and conditions of a permit granted by the prescribed authority under this Act: