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  "title": "PUNJAB PROTECTED AREAS ACT 2020",
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  "text": "THE PUNJAB PROTECTED AREAS ACT 2020 \r\n(XXIII of 2020) \r\nCONTENTS \r\n \r\nChapter I \r\nPreliminary \r\n \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement \r\n \r\n2. Definitions \r\n \r\nChapter II \r\nProtected Areas \r\n \r\n3. Protected areas \r\n \r\n3A. Ecotourism \r\n \r\n4. [Omitted] \r\n \r\n5. Functions of Management Board \r\n \r\n6. Standards \r\n \r\n7. National parks  \r\n \r\n8. Nature reserves \r\n \r\n9. Wildlife sanctuaries  \r\n \r\n10. Wilderness areas \r\n \r\n11. Buffer zone \r\n \r\n12. Wildlife reserve \r\n \r\n13. Wetlands  \r\n \r\nChapter 3 \r\nManagement Authorities \r\n \r\n14. Management Authorities  \r\n \r\n15. Management plan \r\n  \r\n16. Co-Management \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n17. Performance indicators \r\n \r\n18. Termination of management  \r\n \r\n19. Management Fund \r\n \r\n20. Register of protected areas \r\n \r\n21. Restriction on prospecting and mining \r\n \r\n22. Restriction on dredging and extraction  \r\n \r\n23. General Prohibitions \r\n \r\n24. Commercial and other activities \r\n \r\n25. Regulation or restriction of development and other activities \r\n \r\nChapter 4 \r\nOffences and Penalties \r\n \r\n26. Offences and penalties \r\n \r\n27. Cognizance of offences and trial  \r\n \r\n28. [Omitted] \r\n \r\n29. Prosecution of offences under any other law \r\n \r\n30. Appointment of honorary wardens \r\n \r\nChapter 5 \r\nMiscellaneous \r\n31. Indemnity \r\n \r\n32. Power to make rules  \r\n \r\n33. Power to frame regulations \r\n \r\n34. Repeal and saving \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\nTEXT \r\n1\r\nTHE PUNJAB PROTECTED AREAS ACT 2020 \r\n(XXIII of 2020) \r\n [10th September, 2020] \r\nAn \r\nAct \r\nto provide for the protection, preservation, conservation and management of \r\necologically important areas. \r\nIt is necessary to make provisions for protection, preservation, conservation and \r\nmanagement of ecologically important areas; and for the ancillary matters. \r\nBe it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: \r\nChapter I \r\nPreliminary \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement .− (1) This Act may be cited as the \r\nPunjab Protected Areas Act 2020. \r\n(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. \r\n(3) It shall come into force at once. \r\n2. Definitions.− (1) In this Act: \r\n(a) “Administrative Department” means Forestry, Wi ldlife and Fisheries \r\nDepartment of the Government; \r\n(b) “biodiversity” means flora, fauna and organic resources; \r\n2\r\n[(c) “Board” means the Board established  under section 5 of the  Punjab \r\nWildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, \r\n1974 (II of 1974); ] \r\n(d) “buffer zone” means an area declared as a buffer zone by the  \r\nGovernment under this Act; \r\n3\r\n[(da) “ecotourism” means the ecotourism as provided under section 3A of the \r\nAct;] \r\n(e) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; \r\n(f) “habitat” in relation to a species means a place or type of site where  \r\nsuch species naturally found; \r\n                                                      \r\n1This Act was passed by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 02 September 2020; assented to by the Governor of the \r\nPunjab on 08 September 2020; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 10 September 2020, pp. \r\n1057-1066. \r\n2Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025  (I of 2025),  published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 2(a)(i). \r\n3Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 20 25 (I of 2025),  published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 2(a)(ii). \r\n \r\n \r\n(g) “honorary warden” means an honorary warden appointed under section  \r\n30 of this Act; \r\n(h) “hunt” includes killing, capturing or taking the nest or egg of a species  \r\nof a wild animal; \r\n(i) “management authority” means an authority notified under section 14  \r\nof this Act; \r\n(j) “management plan” means a document for improvement and  \r\npropagation of wildlife resources; \r\n4\r\n[(ja)  “officer” means an officer as defined under  clause (k) of section 2  of \r\nthe Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and \r\nManagement) Act, 1974 (II of 1974);] \r\n(k) “organization” means an entity or organization registered under any law  \r\nfor the time being in force;  \r\n(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations; \r\n(m) “protected area” means the area notified as a protected area under  \r\nsection 3 of this Act; \r\n(n) “regulations” means the regulations framed under this Act; \r\n(o) “rules” means the rules made under this Act; \r\n(p) “species” means a kind of animal, plant or other organism including any  \r\nsubspecies, cultivar, variety, geographic race, strain, hybrid or \r\ngeographically separate population; \r\n(q) “wetland” means a distinct ecosystem that is inundated by water either  \r\npermanently or seasonally with significant value for resident or \r\nmigratory fauna and flora; \r\n(r) “wildlife” includes organic resources, animals, birds, reptiles,  \r\nvegetation, soil and water; \r\n(s) “wild animal” means wild animals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates  \r\nunder this Act; \r\n(t) “wilderness area” means a large unmodified or slightly modified area,  \r\nretaining its natural character and influence without permanent or \r\nsignificant human habitation, which is protected and managed to \r\npreserve it in natural condition;  \r\n(u) “wildlife reserve” means an area declared as wildlife reserve to   \r\nconserve ecosystems and habitats together with associated cultural \r\nvalues and traditional natural resource management systems; and \r\n(v) “wildlife sanctuary” means the area declared as a w ildlife sanctuary to  \r\nprotect particular species or habitats and to address the requirements \r\nof particular species or to maintain habitats. \r\n5\r\n[(2)  A word or an e xpression used but not defined in this Act or rules or \r\nregulations made thereunder, shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the \r\n                                                      \r\n4Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 2(a)(iii). \r\n5Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025  (I of 2025),  published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 2(b). \r\n \r\n \r\nPunjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act 1974 \r\n(II of 1974) .] \r\nChapter II \r\nProtected Areas \r\n3. Protected areas .− (1) The Government may, by notification in the official \r\nGazette, declare an area to be called a p rotected area, with a specific name from \r\nany of the following categories:  \r\n(a) a national park; \r\n(b) a nature reserve; \r\n(c) a wildlife sanctuary; \r\n(d) a wilderness area; \r\n(e) a buffer zone; \r\n(f) a wildlife reserve; and \r\n(g) a wetland. \r\n(2) Purposes of notifying a protected area may be to:  \r\n(a) protect biological diversity, its natural landscapes and \r\nwaterscapes; \r\n(b) preserve ecological integrity and conserve biodiversity; \r\n(d) protect ecosystem, habitats and species naturally occurring; \r\n(e) protect threatened or rare species; \r\n(f) protect an area which is vulnerable or ecologically sensitive; \r\n(g) ensure sustainable use of natural and biological reserves; \r\n(h) promote nature-based tourism; \r\n(i) manage the relationship between a buffer zone and other \r\nprotected areas;  \r\n(j) rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the \r\nrecovery of endangered and vulnerable species; and \r\n(k) promote research on biological diversity conservation. \r\n(3) A notif ication under this section shall not be issued in respect of an \r\narea unless such area: \r\n(a) possesses significant genetic, biological or ecological resources; \r\nor  \r\n(b)  constitutes the habitat of native species of wild fauna and flora \r\nof unique provincial, national or international importance; or \r\n(c) requires special measures to be taken to conserve the same. \r\n \r\n \r\n6\r\n[3A. Ecotourism.- The responsible and sustainable ecotourism shall be that: \r\n(a) conserves and protects natural and cultural heritage of the \r\narea, including wildlife a nd their h abitats or associate \r\nhabitats; \r\n(b) educates and raises awareness among tourists and local \r\ncommunities about importance of c onservation and \r\nsustainable use of natural resources; \r\n(c) supports and benefits local communities, promoting their \r\neconomic development and cultural heritage; \r\n(d) minimizes environmental impact through low-impact activities, \r\nsustainable inf rastructure, and responsible waste \r\nmanagement; \r\n(e) promotes scientific research and monitoring, contributing to \r\nconservation and management of protected areas; and \r\n(f) ensures safety and well-being of touri sts, loc al communities \r\nand wildlife.] \r\n7\r\n[* * * * * * * * * * * * *] \r\n5. Functions of Management Board.− The Board shall: \r\n(a) advise the Government on any policy matter relating to this Act; \r\n(b) advise on carrying out, implementation and monitoring of the \r\nprovisions of this Act; \r\n(c) approve, monitor and review, as the case may be, the \r\nmanagement plan or any other plan  or program relating to \r\nimplementation of this Act for management of a protected area  \r\n8\r\n[and promotion of ecotourism] , in such manner as may be \r\nprescribed; and \r\n(d) perform any other function as may be assigned to it by the \r\nGovernment. \r\n6. Standards.− (1) The Gov ernment shall, not later than one year from the \r\ncommencement of this Act, by notification in the official Gazette, lay down standards \r\nfor management and development of a protected area, and for the indicators to \r\nmeasure the compliance thereof. \r\n7. National parks.− (1) The Government may, by notification in the official \r\nGazette, declare a land owned by the Government as a national park. \r\n                                                      \r\n6Inserted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), \r\ndated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 3. \r\n7Omitted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), \r\ndated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 4. \r\n8Inserted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), \r\ndated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 5. \r\n \r\n \r\n(2) A notification issued under subsection (1) may only be altered or \r\nrevoked by a resolution in this behalf passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. \r\n(3) The purpose of notifying a national park may be to protect an area of \r\nnational or international biodiversity importance, or which contains viable samples of \r\nnatural systems and scenic areas, or which is required to be protected  due to the \r\necological integrity of one or more ecosystems. \r\n(4) A national park shall be accessible to public for recreation, education \r\nand research subject to such restrictions as the Board may impose.  \r\n(5) The provision for access roads to and constructi on of rest houses, \r\nhostels, hotels and other buildings in the national park along with amenities for public \r\nmay be so made and the forest therein shall be so managed, and forest produce so \r\nobtained so as not to impair the object of the establishment of the national park.  \r\n(6) The following acts shall be prohibited in a national park: \r\n(a) hunting of any wild animal; \r\n(b) firing any firearm or doing any other act which may disturb any \r\nwildlife or doing any act which interferes with the breeding \r\nplaces; \r\n(c) felling, tapping, burning or in any way damaging or destroying, \r\ntaking, collecting or removing any plant or tree therefrom; \r\n(d) clearing or breaking up any land for cultivation, mining or for any \r\nother purpose; and \r\n(e) polluting water flowing in and through the national park. \r\n  provided that the Government may, for specific purposes, relating to \r\nwildlife protection, authorize the doing of the acts mentioned above except \r\nclause (e).  \r\n8. Nature reserves .− (1) The Government may by notification in the official \r\nGazette declare a nature reserve with a specific name on a land owned by the \r\nGovernment, or subject to a management agreement, on a land owned by a private \r\nperson. \r\n(2) The purposes of notifying a nature reserve shall be to:  \r\n(a) protect sensitive ecosystems, species or geological or physical \r\nfeatures in the area; and \r\n(b) provide special opportunities for study or research. \r\n(3) The following acts shall be prohibited in a nature reserve: \r\n(a) hunting of any wild animal; \r\n(b) felling, tapping, burning or in any way damaging or destroying, \r\ntaking, collecting or removing any plant or tree therefrom; \r\n(c) driving or parking a vehicle in such a manner that constitutes a \r\nnuisance, disturbance, inconvenience or da nger to any other \r\nperson; \r\n \r\n \r\n(d) clearing or breaking up any land for cultivation, mining or for any \r\nother purpose; \r\n(e) polluting water flowing in and through the nature reserves; and \r\n(f) interfering with, misusing, damaging or using a building, \r\nsignage, shelter, facility or infrastructure in violation of directions \r\nof the management authority. \r\n  provided that the Government may, for specific purposes relating to \r\nwildlife protection, authorize the doing of the acts mentioned above except \r\nclause (e). \r\n9. Wildlife sanctuaries.− (1) The Administrative Department may by notification \r\nin the official Gazette: \r\n(a) declare an area specified in the notification as wildlife sanctuary \r\nby assigning a name thereof; and \r\n(b) declare a part of a nature reserve specified in the notifica tion as \r\na wildlife sanctuary. \r\n(2) The purposes of notifying a wildlife sanctuary shall be to:  \r\n(a) protect the breeding of one or more species;   \r\n(b) make the area available for environmental monitoring and \r\nenforcement;   \r\n(c) set aside the wildlife sanctua ry as undisturbed breeding ground \r\nfor the protection of wildlife;  \r\n(d) control access of public to the area; and \r\n(e) protect the forest or vegetation cover in the area. \r\n(3) The following acts shall be prohibited in a wildlife sanctuary: \r\n(a) residence; \r\n(b) cultivation of any land;  \r\n(c) damage or destruction of any vegetation;  \r\n(d) hunting of any wild animal; \r\n(e) using any firearm;  \r\n(f) introducing any exotic species of animal or plant;   \r\n(g) introducing any domestic animal or allow it to stray; and  \r\n(i) polluting any water; \r\n provided that the Government may, for specific purposes relating to \r\nwildlife protection, authorize the doing of the prohibited acts listed in clauses \r\n(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) above. \r\n provided further that the Director General of Wi ldlife may authorize \r\nresidence on the wildlife sanctuary in such manner as may be prescribed.  \r\n \r\n \r\n10. Wilderness areas .− (1) The Government may by notification in the official \r\nGazette declare a part of a nature reserve or national park specified in the \r\nnotification as a wilderness area with a specific name. \r\n(2) Before notifying a part of a nature reserve or national park as a \r\nwilderness area, the Government may consult the concerned management authority.  \r\n(3) Purposes of notifying a wilderness area shall be to:  \r\n(a) protect and maintain the natural character of the ecological \r\nzone, biodiversity and associated natural resources; \r\n(b) provide outstanding opportunities for solitude; and \r\n(c) control access which if allowed may only be by non -mechanized \r\nmeans. \r\n(4) The provision for access roads to and construction of rest houses, \r\nhostels, hotels and other buildings in the national park along with amenities for public \r\nmay be so made and the forest therein shall be so managed, and forest produce so \r\nobtained as not to impair the object of the establishment of the wilderness area.  \r\n(5) The following acts shall be prohibited in a wilderness area: \r\n(a) hunting of any wild animal; \r\n(b) firing any firearm or doing any other act which may disturb any \r\nwildlife or doing any act which interferes with t he breeding \r\nplaces; \r\n(c) felling, tapping, burning or in any way damaging or destroying, \r\ntaking, collecting or removing any plant or tree therefrom; \r\n(d) clearing or breaking up any land for cultivation, mining or for any \r\nother purpose; and \r\n(e) polluting water flowing in and through the wilderness areas: \r\n  provided that the Government may, for specific purposes relating to \r\nwildlife protection, authorize the doing of prohibited acts listed in \r\n9\r\n[clauses (a), (b), (c) \r\nand (d)] above, and clearing of the land for ecological purposes. \r\n11. Buffer zone.− (1) The Government may by notification in the official Gazette \r\ndeclare an area adjacent to a protected area mentioned in clauses (a), (b), (c) and \r\n(g) of section 3 as a buffer zone with a specific name. \r\n(2) The purposes of notifying a buffer zone shall be to: \r\n(a) regulate an area as a buffer zone for conservation and \r\nprotection of a protected area; \r\n(b) regulate development and economic activities in the area;  \r\n(c) protect a specific ecosystem outside of a protected area; \r\n(d) control change in land use in the area;  \r\n(e) control access to the protected area; and \r\n                                                      \r\n9Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendme nt) Act 202 6 (XX of 202 6), published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 06 May 2026, pp. 5829-5830, s. 2. \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n(f) prepare an area for inclusion in a national park, wilderness area \r\nor any other protected area.  \r\n(3) The buffer zone shall be:  \r\n(a) assessable to the public for watching biodiversity; \r\n(b) available for research and training; \r\n(c) available for eco-tourism; and \r\n(d) subject to co-management. \r\n(4) The following acts shall be prohibited in a buffer zone: \r\n(a) hunting of any wild animal \r\n(b) using any firearm;  \r\n(c) introducing any exotic species of animal or plant; and  \r\n(d) polluting any water. \r\n12. Wildlife reserve.− (1) The Administrative Department may by notification \r\nin the official Gazette declare a wildlife reserve with a specific name on a land owned \r\nby the Government, or subject to a management agreement, on a land owned by a \r\nprivate person.  \r\n(2) A land owned by t he Government notified as a wildlife reserve shall be \r\ncalled as a public wildlife reserve, and a land owned by person notified as a wildlife \r\nreserve shall be called a private wildlife reserve. \r\n(3) A permit to hunt in a private wildlife reserve shall be issued by the \r\nowner of such private reserve for such fee and in such manner as may be \r\nprescribed.  \r\n(4) The purposes of notifying a wildlife reserve shall be to:  \r\n(a) to regulate an area for sustainable use of wildlife resources; and \r\n(b) to regulate harvesting of surplus wildlife of the wildlife reserve. \r\n(5) Hunting of wild animals shall be prohibited in a public wildlife reserve, \r\nexcept under a special permit issued by the Administrative Department specifying \r\nmaximum number of wild animals which may be hunted in such wild life reserve, and \r\nthe duration for which such permit shall remain valid: \r\n13. Wetlands.− (1) The Government may by notification in the official Gazette \r\ndeclare a wetland with a specific name on a land owned by the Government, or \r\nsubject to a management agreement, on a land owned by a private person. \r\n(2) The purposes of notifying a wetland shall be to: \r\n(a) conserve the biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem of the area; \r\n(b) meet the national and international obligations including those \r\ncontained in Ramsar Convention; and \r\n(c) regulate the sustainable use of wildlife resources of the area. \r\n(3) No activities shall be allowed in a wetland except the following: \r\n(a) construction of watch towers and check posts;  \r\n \r\n \r\n(b) recreation, research and training; \r\n(c) angling, netting or auction of fisheries; \r\n(d) removal of vegetation as per management plan of  Irrigation \r\nDepartment of the Government; \r\n(e) provision for means of subsistence for local communities; and \r\n(f) construction of irrigation infrastructure: \r\nprovided that the Government may for specific purposes, authorize the \r\ndoing of any other activity. \r\nChapter 3 \r\nManagement Authorities \r\n14. Management Authorities.− (1) The management of a protected area shall be \r\nperformed by the Administrative Department or such entity of the Government as the \r\nGovernment may by notification in the official Gazette specify.  \r\n(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1), the Government \r\nmay assign the management of a protected area to an organization which fulfills \r\nsuch requirements as may be prescribed.  \r\n(3) The Administrative Department or entity of the Government or the \r\norganization to whom management of a protected area has been assigned under the \r\npreceding subsections shall be the management authority of that protected area. \r\n(4) A management authority to whom management of a protected area \r\nhas been assigned under subsection (2) shall be  a body corporate, having perpetual \r\nsuccession and a common seal with powers, subject to the provisions of this Act, to \r\nacquire, hold and transfer property both movable and immovable, and may, by its \r\nname sue or be sued. \r\n(5) An organization that has direct or indirect conflict of interest with the \r\nbusiness of Management Authority under this Act shall not be assigned the \r\nmanagement of a protected area.  \r\n15. Management plan.− (1) Every management authority shall, within one year of \r\nthe commencement of this Act, prepare a management plan for the protected area \r\nconcerned, and submit it to the Chief Minister for approval. \r\n(2) When preparing a management plan for a protected area, th e \r\nmanagement authority shall consult relevant stakeholders including local \r\ncommunities and all affected parties which have an interest in the area, and shall \r\nalso take into account any applicable aspects of a development plan in which the \r\nprotected area is situated. \r\n(3) The management authority shall manage the area exclusively for the \r\npurpose of which it is declared in accordance with the management plan, under this \r\nAct.  \r\n (4) A management plan for protected areas, except for a wildlife reserve \r\nand sanctuary, shall contain: \r\n(a) the terms and conditions of any biodiversity management plan; \r\n(b) a coordinated policy, enforcement and regulatory framework; \r\n \r\n \r\n(c) such planning measures, controls and performance criteria as \r\nmay be prescribed; \r\n(d) a time bound and costed program for the  implementation of the \r\nplan and its costing;  \r\n(e) procedures for public participation, including participation by the \r\nowner, if applicable; \r\n(f) where appropriate implementation of community based natural \r\nresources management; \r\n(g) a zoning of the areas indicating what activities may take place in \r\ndifferent parts of the area and the conservation objectives of \r\nsuch parts; \r\n(h) development of economic opportunities within and adjacent to \r\nthe protected areas in terms of the integrated development plan \r\nframework; and \r\n(i) development of local management capacity and knowledge \r\nexchange. \r\n(5) The Chief Minister may, on the recommendation of the Board, cancel \r\nthe management plan and issue direction for submission of a revised and viable \r\nmanagement plan. \r\n (6) A management plan for a wildlif e reserve and sanctuary shall contain \r\nsuch terms and conditions and measures as may be prescribed.  \r\n16. Co-Management.− (1) The management authority may enter into a \r\nmanagement agreement, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, with the \r\nAdministrative Department, a local community, or any other party for: \r\n(a) co-management of the area by the parties; or \r\n(b) regulation of human activities that affect the environment in the \r\narea. \r\n (2) The co -management under subsection (1) shall not lead to \r\nfragmentation or duplication of management functions. \r\n(3) A co-management agreement may provide for:  \r\n(a) delegation of powers by the management authority to the other \r\nparty of the agreement; \r\n(b) apportionment of any income generated from the management \r\nof the protected a rea or any other form of benefit sharing \r\nbetween the parties;  \r\n(c) use of biological resources in the area; \r\n(d) access to the area; \r\n(e) occupation of the protected area or portions thereof; \r\n(f) development of economic opportunities within and adjacent to \r\nthe protected area; \r\n \r\n \r\n(g) financial support to ensure effective administration and \r\nimplementation of the co-management agreement; and  \r\n(h) any other relevant matter ancillary to the above. \r\n17. Performance indicators .− (1) The \r\n10\r\n[Director General, Wildlife and Parks]  \r\nshall establish indicators, based on the standards laid down under section 6 of this \r\nAct, to monitor the performance of management authorities of the protected areas \r\nand for conservation of biodiversity in the protected areas. \r\n(2) The management authority of a protected area shall: \r\n(a) monitor the area against the indicators set in terms of \r\nsubsection (1); and \r\n(b) annually report its finding to the Government. \r\n18. Termination of management.− (1) If the management au thority of a specific \r\nprotected area is not performing its duties in terms of the management plan for the \r\narea or is underperforming with regard to the management of the area or the \r\nbiodiversity of the area, the Administrative Department shall: \r\n(a) notify the management authority in writing of its failure to perform \r\nits duties or of the underperformance; and \r\n(b) direct the management authority to take such corrective steps as \r\nmay be required within a specified time. \r\n(2) If the management authority fails to take the  corrective steps under \r\nsubsection (1), the Administrative Department may terminate such management \r\nauthority.  \r\n19. Management Fund .− (1) Every management authority which is assigned \r\nmanagement of a protected area under subsection (2) of section 14 of this  Act shall \r\nhave a fund to be known as the „management Fund‟ which shall vest in such \r\nmanagement authority, and shall be utilized by the management authority in \r\nconnection with its functions under this Act. \r\n(2) The management fund shall consist of: \r\n(a) all moneys received from Government; \r\n(b) all moneys received from any agency or body by way of grants, \r\nloans, advances or otherwise; \r\n(c) all fees, charges, donations, endowments, or grants in the form \r\nof contributions and charges received by the management \r\nauthority under this Act; and \r\n(d) all other sums receivable by the management authority. \r\n(3) Proceeds of the management Fund shall be used for management, \r\noperation or performance of the functions relating to the protected area. \r\n(4) The management Fund shall be audited in the prescribed manner. \r\n                                                      \r\n10Substituted for the words “Administrative Department”  by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025  (I of 2025),  \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 6. \r\n \r\n \r\n20. Register of protected areas.− (1) The \r\n11\r\n[Director General, Wildlife and Parks] \r\nshall maintain a register to be called the register of protected areas. \r\n(2) The register shall contain: \r\n(a) a list of all protected areas; \r\n(b) information about kinds of protected areas; \r\n(c) data on status of the management plan for each protected area; \r\n(d) data of protected areas with years of establishment; \r\n(e) key conservation targets including the species, habitat type and \r\nlink to international treaties or conventions; \r\n(f) data on level of protection of each protected area; and   \r\n(g) such other ancillary information as may be prescribed. \r\n21. Restriction on prospecting and mining .− Notwithstanding anything \r\ncontained the Mines Act, 1923 (IV of 1923)  \r\n12\r\n[or in this Act] , no person shall conduct \r\nprospecting, mining, exploration, production or related activities in a national park, \r\nnature reserve, sanctuary and buffer zone \r\n13\r\n[except on su ch terms and condition as \r\nmay be prescribed]. \r\n22. Restriction on dredging and extraction .− Notwithstanding anything \r\ncontained in any law for the time being in force or any right that a person may have \r\nin this regard, no person shall undertake any dredging,  or extraction of sand, rock or \r\ngravel or other minor minerals in a national park, nature reserve, sanctuary, and \r\nbuffer zone \r\n14\r\n[except on such terms and condition as may be prescribed].  \r\n23. General Prohibitions .− The following acts shall be prohibited in every \r\nprotected area:  \r\n(a) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of \r\nwildlife species; \r\n(b) dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife; \r\n(c) squatting or otherwise illegally occupying any portion of a protected \r\narea; \r\n(d) gathering or destroying of active nests, nest trees, or host plants; \r\n(e) maltreating or inflicting other injuries not covered by the preceding \r\nparagraph; and \r\n(f) transportation of wildlife. \r\n                                                      \r\n11Substituted for the word “ Government” by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025  (I of 2025),  published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 7. \r\n12Inserted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 202 6 (XX of 202 6), published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 06 May 2026, pp. 5829-5830, s. 3(a). \r\n13Inserted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 202 6 (XX of 202 6), published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 06 May 2026, pp. 5829-5830, s. 3(a). \r\n14Substituted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 202 6 (XX of 202 6), published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 06 May 2026, pp. 5829-5830, s. 4. \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n24. Commercial and other activities.− (1) The Government shall not approve or \r\ngrant permission for the conduct of any commercial or development activities within \r\na protected area under any law for the time being in force, unless an express \r\nrecommendation to this effect has been given by the  Board in such manner as may \r\nbe prescribed.  \r\n(2) In all instances, any permission granted under this Act shall be \r\nconsistent with the duly approved management plan in respect of a particular area. \r\n25. Regulation or restriction of development and other acti vities.− The \r\nGovernment shall regulate or restrict conduct of any development activity in and \r\naround the physical boundaries of any protected area, in the prescribed manner. \r\nChapter 4 \r\nOffences and Penalties \r\n26. Offences and penalties .− (1) A person who contraven es any of the \r\nprohibitions provided under sections 7 to 13 of this Act respectively shall be \r\npunished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to \r\n15\r\n[five] years or with fine \r\nwhich may extend to rupees one million but shall not be less than rupees one \r\nhundred thousand or with both, along with confiscation of the weapon, vehicle or any \r\nother article used in such contravention  \r\n16\r\n[and in case of default of payment of fine, \r\noffender shall undergo further imprisonment for a minimum period of six months]. \r\n(2) A person who exercises the management authority in violation of the \r\nprovisions of this Act or fails to exercise the management authority granted under \r\nthis Act shall be punished with fine which may extend to rupees five million but shall \r\nnot be less than rupees one hundred thousand. \r\n (3) A person who hinders or interferes with the functions of a management \r\nauthority shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one month or \r\nfine which may extend to rupees twenty five thousand or with both. \r\n17\r\n[27.  Cognizance of offences and trial .- The offences under sections 7 to 13 of \r\nthis Act shall be cognizable, non-bailable and triable by such court, in such manner \r\nand by such officers as provided in t he P unjab Wildlife (Prot ection, P reservation, \r\nConservation and Management) Act, 1974.] \r\n18\r\n[* * * * * * * * * * * *   ] \r\n29. Prosecution of offences under any other law .− Nothing contained in this \r\nAct shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted or being liable \r\nunder any other law for any punishment or pe nalty higher than that provided under \r\nthis Act. \r\n                                                      \r\n15Substituted for the word “three”  by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025),  published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 8. \r\n16Added by the Act ibid.  \r\n17Substituted by the Punjab Pro tected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025  (I of 2025),  published in the Punjab Gazette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 9. \r\n18Omitted by the Punjab Protected Areas (Amendment) Act 2025 (I of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordi nary), \r\ndated: 27 January 2025, pp. 2555-2556, s. 10. \r\n \r\n \r\n30. Appointment of honorary wardens .− The Administrative Department may \r\nby notification in the official Gazette appoint honorary wardens for such areas and on \r\nsuch terms and conditions as may be prescribed. \r\n \r\n \r\nChapter 5 \r\nMiscellaneous \r\n31. Indemnity.− No suit or other proceedings shall lie against any person for \r\nanything done in good faith under this Act, Rules or Regulations made thereunder. \r\n32. Power to make rules.− (1) The Government may, by notification in the official \r\nGazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. \r\n(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Government \r\nshall, within six months of the commencement of this Act, make rules for:  \r\n(a) payment of fees payable under this Act; \r\n(b) payment of any compensation payable to persons under this Act \r\nand the manner of applying for the compensation; \r\n(c) designation, management and enforcement of activities in a \r\nprotected area; \r\n(d) purposes of and functions to be performed in the protected \r\nareas; \r\n(e) designation, protection, management and control of protected \r\nspecies of fauna and flora; \r\n(f) designation, protection, management and control of partially \r\nprotected species of fauna and flora; \r\n(g) designation, protection, management, use and control of \r\nprotected areas;  \r\n(h) regulation of trade in and the transit, import, export or re -export \r\nof specimens of fauna and flora; \r\n(i) issue, grant, administration and enforcement of permits to fell, \r\nextract or remove timber or other forest produce; and \r\n(j) harvesting of timber or othe r forest produce from forested \r\nprivate lands outside of protected areas.  \r\n33. Power to frame regulations .− The Board, may make regulations, not \r\ninconsistent with the Act or the rules, for carrying out such purposes of the Act which \r\nare not provided in the rules. \r\n34. Repeal and saving .− (1) Section 3 to the extent of honorary officers and \r\nsections 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, \r\nConservation and Management) Act, 1974 (II of 1974) are hereby repealed. \r\n(2) Notwithstanding the repeal under subsection (1), anything done or any \r\naction taken or purported to have been done or taken under the repealed sections of \r\nAct II of 1974 shall, in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this \r\nAct, be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act.",
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