31A. [ Constitution of Village Forest Committee for Joint Forest Planning and Management of Forest. [Inserted by Act 12 of 1998 w.e.f. 11.5.1998.]
(1)For the purpose of Joint Forest Planning and Management of forest, the State Government may by notification constitute a Village Forest Committees in respect of a village or group of villages.(2)The Government may by rules provide for,-(i)the powers, duties and responsibilities of Village Forest Planning Committee;(ii)the conduct of elections to the Committee;(iii)qualification and disqualifications of Members of Village Forest Committee;(iv)the powers and duties of Forest Officer;(v)preparation and execution of management plans;(vi)protection, development and management of forest by the Committee;(vii)sharing mechanism, audit and accounts;(viii)appointment of administrators or administrative Committees;(ix)settlement of disputes;(x)monitoring and evaluation; and(xi)any other matter incidental thereto.]
