Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Inquiry into and settlement of rights.—All claims to any rights other than rights of the village community or group of village communities for the benefit of which such village forest is constituted, shall be inquired into, recorded and provided for in the manner laid down in Chapter II of this Act. 1[31A. Constitution of Village Forest Committee for Joint Forest Planning and Management of Forest.—(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.]1