(1) Whenever it appears to the State Government that an area, whether within a sanctuary or not, is, by reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological or zoological association or importance, needed to be constituted as a National Park for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life therein or its environment, it may, by notification, declare its intention to constitute such area as a National Park.
1[Provided that where any part of the territorial waters is proposed to be included in such National Park, the provisions of section 26A shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to the declaration of a National Park as they apply in relation to the declaration of a sanctuary.]
(2) The notification referred to in sub-section (1) shall define the limits of the area which is intended to be declared as a National Park.
(3) Where any area is intended to be declared as a National Park, the provisions of sections 2[19 to 26A (both inclusive except cause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 24)] shall, as far as may, be, apply to the investigation and determination of claims, and extinguishment of rights, in relation to any land in such area as they apply to the said matters in relation to any land in a sanctuary.
3[(3A) When the State Government declares its intention under sub-section (1) to constitute any area as a National Park, the provisions of sections 27 to 33A (both inclusive), shall come into effect forthwith, until the publication of the notification declaring such National Park under sub-section (4).
(3B) Till such time as the rights of the affected persons are finally settled under sections 19 to 26A [both inclusive except clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 24], the State Government shall make alternative arrangements required for making available fuel, fodder and other forest produce to the persons affected, in terms of their rights as per the Government records.]
(4) When the following events have occurred, namely,--
(a) the period for preferring claims has elapsed, and all claims, if any, made in relation to any land in an area intended to be declared as a National Park, have been disposed of by the State Government, and
(b) all rights in respect of lands proposed to be included in the National Park have become vested in the State Government,
the State Government shall publish a notification specifying the limits of the area which shall be comprised within the National Park and declare that the said area shall be a National Park on and from such date as may be specified in the notification.
4[(5) No alteration of the boundaries of a National Park by the State Government shall be made except on a recommendation of the National Board.
(6) No person shall destroy, exploit or remove any Wild Life including forest produce from a National Park or destroy or damage or divert the habitat of any wild animal by any act whatsoever or divert, stop or enhance the flow of water into or outside the National Park, except under and in accordance with a permit granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden, and no such permit shall be granted unless the State Government being satisfied in consultation with the National Board that such removal of wild life from the National Park or the change in the flow of water into or outside the National Park is necessary for the improvement and better management of wild life therein, authorises the issue of such permit:
Provided that where the forest produce is removed from a National Park, the same may be used for meeting the personal bona fide needs of the people living in and around the National Park and shall not be used for any commercial purpose.]
(7) No grazing of any 5[live-stock] shall be permitted in a National Park and no 5[live-stock] shall be allowed to enter therein except where such 5[live-stock] is used as a vehicle by a person authorised to enter such National Park.
(8) The provisions of sections 27 and 28, sections 30 to 32 (both inclusive), and clauses (a), (b) and (c) of 6[section 33, section 33A] shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a National Park as they apply in relation to a sanctuary.
7[Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, in case of an area, whether within a sanctuary or not, where the rights have been extinguished and the land has become vested in the State Government under any Act or otherwise, such area may be notified by it, by a notification, as a National Park and the proceedings under sections 19 to 26 (both inclusive) and the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of this section shall not apply.]
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1Added by Act 44 of 1991, s. 23, (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
2Subs. by s. 23, ibid., for "section 23, for "19 to 26 (both inclusive)" (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
3Ins. by Act 18 of 2022, s. 14 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).
4Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 19, for sub-sections (5) and (6) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
5Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 23, for "cattle" (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
6Subs. by s. 23, ibid., for "section 33" (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).
7Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 19 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
8The sub-heading "GAME RESERVE" omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 24 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).