National Protected Area Authority and Conservation Trust Fund Act, 2012 (No. 11 of 2012).

This Act establishes the National Protected Area Authority and the Conservation Trust Fund and provides for the constitution of Protected National Areas. It defined functions and powers of the Authority and provides with respect to its administration and management. The Authority shall be a body corporate and shall be governed by the Board. The Authority shall exercise oversight authority over National Parks and Protected Areas designated for conservation purposes so as to protect the fauna and flora in its natural state, promote sustainable land use practices and environmental management and carry out the functions specified by this Act (including management and conservation of wildlife, overseeing the implementation of CITES, protection of biodiversity and developing a national REDD+ Strategy). The Authority shall also formulate and implement awareness activities for local communities, schools, and local administration to promote knowledge of and participation in programs and services, relating to socioeconomic and environmental issues including, fisheries, agricultural and forestry best practices, forest management, land, soil and water conservation in Protected Areas and buffer zones. There shall be an Executive-Director of the Authority, who shall be responsible to the Board. The Authority shall establish such departments as it may think necessary for the performance of its functions.
The Conservation Trust Fund shall also be a body corporate and shall be administered by a Board of Trustees. The funds of the Trust shall be applied only for the purposes of the approved budget of the Authority.
The Minister may by order published in the Gazette constitute any area of land to be a National Protected Area in accordance with section 3 of the Wild life conservation Act, 1972. Such area shall be constituted for the purpose of the management and protection of the fauna and flora in its natural state and the conservation of biodiversity, in such a manner as is consistent with the objectives of this Act. No activity shall be permitted in the National Protected Area which contravenes the objectives of this Act.
The Authority is given ample power to make Regulations as it considers necessary or expedient for giving effect to the provisions of this Act.