Private Forests Act 1951 (No. 3 of 1951).

The Act draws a distinction between major and minor offences. Major offences are established in article 3 when a person: (a) without the authority of the owner of his agent in or on a private forest: (i) cuts, destroys or removes any tree, timber, other forest produce, or boundary mark or fence; or (ii) lights, rekindles, or adds fuel to any fire;
(b) on any private forest or within one mile of the boundary of such forest (i) leaves unattended a fire; or (ii) lights or uses, rekindles or adds fuel to any fire which through his negligence spreads or causes damage or injury.
Minor offences are listed in article 4 and consist of dangerous activities carried out by a person without the authority of the owner or the person lawfully in control of a private forest (e.g., animal hunting, removal of swarm of bees, trespassing of stock, smoking, etc.).
A forest officer in charge of a private forest, may, according to the provisions of this Act (a) clear a fire-belt on the private forest side of the common boundary between the land concerned; or (b) at his own expense or the expense of his employer, clear a fire-belt on each side of any boundary common to such private forest and adjacent land. If there is good reason to believe that any fire in the open air or within one mile of a private forest may become dangerous to life or property, any person acting in good faith may, either alone or with persons under his control, enter upon the land on which such fire is burning for the purpose of extinguishing that fire or preventing the extension thereof.
Further provisions establish special powers of forest officers and special powers of civil nature by district commissioners in case of squatting, camping and cultivating on private forests.