Forest Act, 1963 Section 31A

(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.

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