Kerala Restriction on Cutting and Destruction of Valuable Trees Act, 1974

No: 7 Dated: Mar, 12 1974

THE KERALA RESTRICTION ON CUTTING AND DESTRUCTION OF VALUABLE TREES ACT, 1974

[ Act No. 7 of 1974]

An Act to restrict the cutting and destruction of certain valuable trees in private lands in the State of Kerala

Whereas it is considered necessary to restrict the cutting and destruction of certain valuable trees in private lands in the State of Kerala;

Be it enacted in the Twenty-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1.  Short title, extent and commencement:- (1) This Act may be called the Kerala Restriction on Cutting and Destruction of Valuable Trees Act, 1974.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Kerala.

(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 22nd day of January, 1974.

2. Definitions:- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "authorized officer" means an officer appointed under section 3;

(b) "owner" in relation to any land includes a mortgage, lessee or other person having right to possession and enjoyment of that land;

(c) "plantation" means any land used principally for the cultivation of tea, coffee, coca, rubber, cardamom or cinnamon and includes lands interspersed within the boundaries of the area principally cultivated with such crops;

(d) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(e) "valuable tree" means sandalwood tree, rose wood tree or teak tree.