Section 25 in The Karnataka Preservation Of Trees Act, 1976
25. Investing Tree Officer with certain powers.-
(1)The State Government may, by notification, invest the Tree Officers and other officers with all or any of the following powers, namely:-(a)power to enter upon any land and to survey, demarcate and make a map of the same;(b)powers of a civil court to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents and material objects;(c)power to issue a search warrant under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973;(d)power to hold inquiries into offences under the Act and in the course of such inquiry to receive and record evidence;(e)power to take possession of property under the Act;(f)power to direct release of property or withdrawal of charges;(g)Power to insist any person to plant tree or trees of suitable species in adequate numbers on any land owned or occupied by him.(2)Any evidence recorded under clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be admissible in any subsequent trial before a Magistrate if such evidence has been taken in the presence of the accused person and recorded in the manner provided by section 355, section 356 or section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
