Forest Protection Act, 1974 (N.R.C.D. 243).

This Act establishes legal protections for forest reserves by prohibiting specific activities conducted without written authority. Prohibited acts include damaging trees, cultivating farms, erecting buildings, setting fires, obstructing water channels, hunting, and removing forest produce. Standard forest offences carry penalties of up to 500 penalty units or two years' imprisonment. More severe penalties apply to the counterfeiting or destruction of marks on timber and forest boundaries. Individuals convicted three times are prohibited from participating in timber businesses, and their related property marks are forfeited; contravening this ban carries a maximum ten-year prison sentence.
The Act empowers forest officers to arrest suspects without a warrant if they fail to provide identification or are likely to abscond. Following a conviction, courts must order the forfeiture of any forest produce, instruments, and vehicles used in the offence to the Republic. Notably, the burden of proof regarding the lawful acquisition of forest produce lies with the person in possession of it. Additionally, the Minister may summarily dismiss any forest officer found to have aided or condoned an offence under the Act. The statute also grants indemnity for acts performed in good faith during the execution of official duties.