GRAZING OF CATTLE IN THE PROTECTED FORESTS (RANGE LANDS) RULES, 1978

GRAZING OF CATTLE IN THE PROTECTED FORESTS

(RANGE LANDS) RULES, 1978

[Gazette of Punjab, Extraordinary, Part I, 28th February 1979]

No. S.O. Ft. (Ext.) IV-5/78.-------In exercise of the powers conferred by section 32 read with section 76 of the Forest Act, 1927 (XVI of 1927) and in supersession of all previous orders on the subject, the Governor of the Punjab is pleased to make the following rules to regulate the grazing of cattle in Protected Forests (Range Land) :-

1. Short title and commencement.---(i) These rules may be called the Grazing in the Protected Forests (Range Lands) Rules, 1978.

(ii) They shall apply to such Protected Forests (Range Lands) in the Punjab as may be notified by the Government from time to time.

(iii) They shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.----Unless the subject or the context otherwise requires the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them namely :--

(a) "Authority" means the Division I Forest Officer of the area concerned.

(b) "Authorised Officer" means any person appointed by the Authority to carry out all or any of the purposes of these rules.

(c) "Form" means a form appended to rules.

(d) "Grazing year" means the year from 1st July to 30th June.

(e) "Grazing Programme" means a Programme prepared and announced by the Authority to regulate grazing in the Protected Forests (Range Lands).

(f) "Licence" means a permit issued under the Rules.

(g) "Licensee" means a person holding a Licence under the rules and shall include his agent accompanying the cattle in the grazing area, and

(h) "Registered grazier" means a grazier registered under the rules.

3. Registration.-(i) Every grazier interested to graze his cattle in the Protected Forests (Range Lands) shall apply to the Authority in Form 'A' for his registration.

(ii) On the receipt of the application, the Authority may register the grazier for a period of one year on payment of Rs. 10 as registration fee. The registration, may be renewed every year on payment of a fee of Rs. 5.

4. Licences.---On a request in writing by a registered grazier a non­transferable licence in Form B' may be issued by the Authorised Officer for a period of three months or part thereof on payment of such grazing fee as tray be prescribed by the Government from time to time.

5. Receipts.---The Authorized Officer shall issue a receipt for all pay­ments made under the rules.

6. Grazing Programme.----Notwithstanding anything contained in any agreement, custom or usage :-

(i) The authority may from time to time declare any Protected Forests (Range Lands) as open to grazing.

(ii) To regulate the grazing in such areas the Authority may from time to time announce the grazing programme and pass such orders as it deems necessary.

7. Refusal to grant registration or licence.-----The Authority shall not register any person as grazier :-

If there are reasons to believe that he has been responsible for or has been responsible for or has been concerned in any such subversive activities, as setting to a forest, creating dissatisfaction amongst the public or the graziers, indulges in acts prohibited under these rules or any law for the time being in force or he is in the habit of committing forest offences.

8. Unauthorised Grazing of cattle.-All Cattle-

(a) found in closed area;

(b) found grazing in the grazing area without a licence or in violation of the terms of licence or that of the grazing programme;

(c) found grazing in the grazing `area between one hour after the sunset or one hour before the sunrise, shall be deemed as trespassing and shall be dealt with under the Forest Act, 1927 provided the Authority may also cancel the licence.

9. Carrying of cutting instruments etc.---The licensee shall not carry any cutting instrument in grazing area and shall not lop or injure any trees or bushes in any manner except with the permission in writing of the Authority.

10. Cancellation. of registration and licence.---(i) The Authority may cancel a registration or a licence at any time, if in its opinion a registered grazier or a licence, as the case may be, is guilty of infringement of any of the provisions of the Forest Act or the Rules made thereunder;

(ii) When a registration or a licence is cancelled, no refund of fee shall be allowed.

11. Withdrawal of licence.-----A licence may be withdrawn at any time, if in the opinion of the authority, it is not any more expedient to allow the grazing in any area provided that the licence shall be entitled to the refund of proportionate licence fee.

REGULATION FORM "A"

REGISTRATION FORM FOR GRAZIERS

(i) Name and father's name.

(ii) Caste.

(iii) Residence.

(iv) Kind and number of animals.

(v) Period.

(vi) Rakh in which permission for grazing is required

(vii) Fee paid.

(viii) Date of issue of registration.

(ix) Name and Rank of Officer issuing registration slip.

PERMIT FORM "B"

GRAZING PERMITS

(i) Name of Department Forest Division Range Forest.

(ii) Permit No.

(iii) Coupe Compartment Chak.

(iv) Annual Grazing Programme.

                        Period                          Pasture numbers

                        July to December

                        October to September

                        January to March.

                        April to June.

(v) Name of person, parentage and residence.

(vi) Period of grazing permit From/ To

(vii) Nature of Forest Produce.

(viii) Kind of cattle with number.

(ix) Grazing fee realised Amount.

(x) Signature of Range Forest Officer.

(xi) Conditions overleaf.