Forests (Exploratory Permits)(Amendment) Act 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997).

Exploration of State forests is defined in section 2 as exploration for the purposes of discovering and evaluating forest produce and includes forest inventories, social and environmental impact assessments and topographic surveys . A new section 5(A) is added to the text of the principal Act in order to provide for the granting of permits by the Commissioner of Lands to any person to occupy an area of State forest for the purpose of exploratory operations. A permit does not imply an exclusive right to occupy, in whole or in part, such area. Conditions of granting a permit are outlined in commas (2) to (4) of section 5(A). The Commissioner may require an applicant for a permit to execute a bond for the performance and observance by the applicant of the conditions of permit (comma 9). Change in control over companies holding permits shall be subject to authorization of the Commission (not defined). Several sections of the principal Act are amended as a consequence of the new rules. (7 sections completed by a Schedule containing a form of application for a permit)