Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) Every Forest Officer and every officer authorised by the Government in this behalf shall prevent, and may interfere for the purpose of preventing, the commission of any offence under this Act and shall have power to evict all encroachers and squatters from the protected area and to confiscate or demolish any sheds or other structures put up in the protected area. (2) Forest officers and other officers authorised under sub-section (1) shall have the powers of Police Officers for the purpose of investigations or prevention of offences under this Act and the collection of evidence.