This is the main Act, which is referred to for management of Government forests under Government control. This Act is applicable to the whole state since 1st April, 1968 (the day it was published in Nagaland Gazette). It has classified Forest Officer/ Forest Produce. The Act has 11 (eleven), Chapters. The issues dealt in different chapters are as follows;

This Act is applicable to the State of Nagaland. This Act adopts a two – pronged conservation strategy

• Specified endangered species are to be protected regardless of location;
• All species are to be protected.

The object of the Act is to arrest the rapid decline and provide protection to the Wildlife population. The Act also strives at regulating hunting of wild animals and birds (Chapter-III).

Procedure for declaring areas as Sanctuaries and National Parks are prescribed in Chapter-IV. There is prohibition on hunting on all animals as mentioned in Schedule I to IV. The Act also regulates trade in wild animals, animals articles, trophies and subject to the provision of Chapter-V(A), prohibits dealing therein without a license. Through an Amendment Bill, 2002, the amended Act proposes to create two new categories of Protected Areas, i.e., Conservation reserves and Community Reserve.

This Act is applicable to the whole State since 12th April, 1974. This Act has broadened the meaning of forests. Forest means any land except the land which has been put to terrace for the purpose of permanent or semi-permanent cultivation to any land attached or appurtenant to a dwelling house. It has brought the jhum land under the ambit of Forest Department as far as movement of forest produce emanating from there.

This Act is applicable since 25 October, 1980. The Act has made it mandatory to obtain prior approval of the Central Government for any non- forest activities in forest areas. The State Government vide its Notification No. FOR-58/82 dated 03.07.1986 has extended the application of this Act to forest lands under the control of Forest Department.

This case is known as T.N.Godavarman Tirumulkpad Vs Union of India & Others. This case is a remarkable illustration on the concept of sustainable development. The pronouncement of the apex Court can be summarized as follows:

• Forests include the areas noted in the Government records as forest, irrespective of ownership. The decision invoked the dictionary meaning of ‘Forests’.
• Running of saw-mills of any kind is a non – forest activity.
• Felling of trees has to be in accordance with approved Working Scheme/ Management Plan
• Each State to constitute an Expert Committee for identification of forest areas, denuded forests and to assess the sustainable capacity of the forests.

Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its interim Order dated 12.05.2001 with respect to Writ Petition (PIL) No.2002 of 1995 (T.N.Godavarman Tirumulkpad Vs Union of India & Others) directed for framing of rules for regulating the felling of trees from non-forest areas including the plantation.

Guidelines for issue of Transit Permit for Pine roots/stumps was approved by the Government vide No. FOR/Gen- 67/2005 dated 24.09.2009 as under:

a) Extraction:

1. Except under approved Working Schemes and Nagaland Tree felling Regulation Act, 2002, felling of pine trees are strictly prohibited.
2. Divisional Forest Officer shall make proper assessment/ authentication of the quantity/ availability of pine roots/ stumps as under:
   • Trees felled prior to regulatory order issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court Dated 12.12.1996.
   • Approved Working Scheme operation area.
   • The Nagaland Tree felling Regulation Act, 2002
3. Extraction of decayed pine roots/stumps is to be authorized /certified by the concerned village council Chairman.
4. Decayed pine roots/ stumps sourced from pine growing region must not be more than 3(three feet) in length and shall be chiseled/ dressed for transportation.
5. The royalty rates on pine firewood stumps/roots shall be realized at par with royalty on firewood as notified by the Government.
6. Transportation of pine roots/ stumps shall be on valid T.P. only (As per Nagaland Forest Act, 1968 under Section 40 and Government Notification dated Kohima 1st March, 1969 No. FOR-V (Misc) 43/67 (2) Rules to regulate, the export of Forest Produce, 1969).
7. Forest permits are to be issued by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on the basis of the availability report submitted by the respective territorial DFOs.

The validity of the permit shall not be more than 3(three) months which may be extended further for another 3 (three) months only.

b) Penalty:

1. Violation of the guidelines shall warrant cancellation of the permits/depot license, etc.

Pursuant to the Order No.8-15/SIT/2005/Pt.XVI dated 17.04.2006 of the Special Investigation Team (Constitute pursuant to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s Order dated 13.01.2000 in WP(C) No.202/95, fallowing guidelines are to be fallowed for transportation of molded beats/frames outside the State of Nagaland;

1. All molding beat /frames unit are required to obtain registration from the local DFO on payment of Rs 500/-(Rupees five hundred only) as registration fee through Treasury Challan Registration is to be renewed every year.
2. Molding beat/frame unit shall be located within an approved industrial estate.
3. It shall use sawn timber sourced from HPC Approved saw mills.
4. The input for the molding beat/frame shall be duly accounted for in the output of the sawn timber of the concerned HPC Approved saw mill and shall also be recorded in its monthly returns.
5. The round timber shall be felled as per approved Working Scheme/Tree Felling Regulation Act,2002.
6. The loading of molding beats/frames shall be done under strict supervision of the Forest Officers and shall be covered by valid transit passes including mill challans (conversion) from HPC cleared mills.
7. No transportation of moulding beats/frames shall be permitted outside the North East by road. Such transportation within the North East shall be permitted only if valid transit pass has been issued after verifying the legality of the timber and provided.