Private Forests (Nationalization) Act, 1957.

The nationalization of private forests aims at assuring an adequate protection, maintenance and utilization of the forests throughout thenational territory. "For the purpose of this act, private forests include all forests in lands wholly or partly tax-exempt, or on which rights have been acquired by any particular individual in any way, and which are utilized by him prior to the commencement of this act, as well as waste lands within the boundaries of such forests" (art. 2). The following shall not be regarded as forests: (a) stray trees in the midst of cultivated lands; (b) orchards situated within residential compounds or elsewhere; (c) trees planted and maintained by any person in plots not exceeding a certain area established by the Act.