Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(i) Sub-clause 2 (iv) of the Act prohibits clearing of naturally grown trees in forest land for the purpose of using it for reforestation. The provisions of this sub-clause will be attracted if the forest area in question bears naturally grown trees and are required to be clear-felled, irrespective of their size, for harnessing existing crop and/or raising plantation through artificial regeneration techniques, which may include coppicing, pollarding or any other mode of vegetative propagation. (ii) All proposals involving clearing of naturally grown trees in any forest area, including for the purpose of reforestation, shall be sent by the concerned State/UT Government in the form of Management Plans/Working Plans to the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests of the concerned Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. (iii) All proposals in respect of sanction of Working Plans/Management Plans shall be finally disposed of by the Regional Office, under Section 2 of the Act. While examining the proposal, the Regional Office would ensure that the final decision is in conformity with the National Forest Policy, Working Plan guidelines and other relevant rules and guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time. The Regional Office will however, invariably seek prior clearance of the Ministry whenever the proposal involves clear-felling of forest area having density above 0.4 irrespective of the area involved. Also, prior clearance would be required when the proposal is for clear felling of an area of size more than 20 ha. in the plains and 10 ha. in the hilly region, irrespective of density.