Forest Produce

The definition of "forest produce" determines the scope of the Government's power to regulate and tax materials coming from the forest.

• Statutory Definition: Section 2(4) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.

• Categories:

  1. Found in a forest or not: Timber, charcoal, caoutchouc (natural rubber), catechu, wood-oil, resin, natural varnish, bark, lac, and wild animals (including skins, tusks, horns, etc.).

  2. Found in a forest only: Trees and leaves, flowers and fruits, and all other parts or produce of trees; plants not being trees (including grass, creepers, reeds, and moss); and minerals (including peat, surface soil, rock, and minerals like limestone and laterite).

• Significance: If a material is "forest produce," the State can regulate its transit and collect royalties on it under Section 41.