120. Transfer to Village Panchayat of unreserved forests.
(1)(a)All unreserved forests in the village at the commencement of this Act shall vest in the Village Panchayat and be administered by it for the benefit of such village.(b)In respect of every forest so vested, the Village Panchayat shall, if so required by the Collector, pay to the Government such rent as the Collector may, from time to time, subject to the control of the Commissioner of Land Administration, fix in this behalf.(2)(a)If the Revenue Divisional Officer is of opinion that a Village Panchayat is not administering properly a forest vested in it under sub-section (1), he may by order, withdraw such forest from the control of the Village Panchayat for such period as may be specified in the order, not exceeding the period, if any, prescribed in this behalf. He may in respect of such forest direct that it be vested in the Panchayat Union Council and be administered by it.(b)The Revenue Divisional Officer may, from time to time, by order, extend the period specified in any order issued under clause (a), subject to the period prescribed in this behalf.(c)Before issuing an order under clause (a) or (b), a reasonable opportunity shall be given to the Village Panchayat to show cause against such issue.(d)When an order is issued under clause (a) or (b), the Village Panchayat concerned may, within three months of the service of the order, appeal against it to the Collector and the Collector may confirm, modify or reverse the order.(3)The Commissioner of Land Administration may, at any time, either suo motu or on application, call for and examine the record of any order issued by the Revenue Divisional Officer or the Collector under sub-section (2) for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the legality or propriety of such order, and may pass such order in reference thereto as he thinks fit.
