(1)The State Government may, by notification declare the provisions of this Chapter applicable to any land which is not included in a reserved forest, but which is the property of Government or, over which the Government have proprietary rights.(2)The lands comprised in any such notification shall be called a "protected forest".(3)No such notification shall be issued unless the nature and extent of the rights of Government and of private persons and village communities in or over the land comprised therein have been inquired into and recorded at a survey or settlement, or in such other manner as may be prescribed and every such record shall be presumed to be correct until the contrary is proved :Provided that if in the case of any land, the State Government are of the opinion that the enquiry and recording as aforesaid are likely to occupy such length of time as in the meantime to endanger the rights of Government, they may, pending such inquiry and recording, declare such land to be a protected forest, but so as not to abridge or affect any existing rights of individuals or communities.(4)Lands at the disposal of Government to which the provisions contained in Chapter III of the Madras Forest Act, 1882 (Madras Act 5 of 1882) were applicable immediately prior to the coming into force of this Act shall be deemed to be "protected forest" under this Act.
