Chapter IV§18–38
Protected Areas
The Act's spatial protection regime. Sanctuaries are declared under §18 with a Collector-led rights-settlement under §§19–26 modelled on the Land Acquisition Act 1894, becoming final under §26A. Sections 27–34 lock down entry, activities, fire, weapons and arms-licensing inside the sanctuary. National Parks (§35) are the stricter sibling — even forest produce removal needs satisfaction of necessity. Conservation Reserves (§§36A–B) and Community Reserves (§§36C–D), inserted in 2003, broaden the toolkit to landscapes adjacent to protected areas and to community-volunteered habitats. Section 38 lets the Centre declare its own sanctuaries and parks on transferred land.
31 sections · MVP coverage
Declaration of sanctuary
The State Government, by notification, declares its intention to constitute an area (outside reserve forests and territorial waters) as a sanctuary if it has adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance.
(1) The State Government may, by notification, declare its intention to constitute any area other than an area comprised within any reserve forest or the territorial waters as a sanctuary if it considers that such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life or its environment.
(2) The notification referred to in sub-section (1) shall specify, as nearly as possible, the situation and limits of such area.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, it shall be sufficient to describe the area by roads, rivers, ridges or other well-known or readily intelligible boundaries.
Protection to sanctuaries
The protective sections 27–33A trigger the moment the State declares intention to constitute a sanctuary; until rights settlement is complete, the State must arrange fuel, fodder and forest produce alternatives for affected people in accordance with their existing rights.
(1) When the State Government declares its intention under sub-section (1) of section 18 to constitute any area, not comprised within any reserve forest or territorial waters under that sub-section, as a sanctuary, the provisions of sections 27 to 33A (both inclusive) shall come into effect forthwith.
(2) Till such time as the rights of affected persons are finally settled under sections 19 to 24 (both inclusive), 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.
Appointment of Collectors
The State must appoint a Collector within 90 days of the 2003 amendment, or within 30 days of any §18 notification, to inquire into and determine the rights existing within the sanctuary's proposed limits.
The State Government shall appoint, an officer to act as Collector under the Act, within ninety days of coming into force of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, or within thirty days of the issue of notification under section 18, to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits of the sanctuary which may be notified under sub-section (1) of section 18.
Collector to determine rights
After the §18 notification, the Collector inquires into and determines the existence, nature and extent of any rights any person may hold in or over the land within the proposed sanctuary.
When a notification has been issued under section 18, the Collector shall inquire into, and determine, the existence, nature and extent of the rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits of the sanctuary.
Bar of accrual of rights
Once a §18 notification issues, no new rights can be acquired in the area — only succession (testamentary or intestate) is preserved.
After the issue of a notification under section 18, no right shall be acquired in, on or over the land comprised within the limits of the area specified in such notification, except by succession, testamentary or intestate.
Proclamation by Collector
Within sixty days of the §18 notification, the Collector publishes a regional-language proclamation in every town and village in or near the sanctuary, calling on right-holders to prefer written claims within two months.
When a notification has been issued under section 18, the Collector shall within a period of sixty days publish in the regional language in every town and village in or in the neighbourhood of the area comprised therein, a proclamation— (a) specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and the limits of the sanctuary; and (b) requiring any person, claiming any right mentioned in section 19, to prefer before the Collector, within two months from the date of such proclamation, a written claim in the prescribed form, specifying the nature and extent of such right with necessary details and the amount and particulars of compensation, if any, claimed in respect thereof.
Inquiry by Collector
After serving the prescribed notice on the claimant, the Collector expeditiously investigates the claim and any unreported rights, drawing on State records and witness evidence.
The Collector shall, after service of the prescribed notice upon the claimant, expeditiously inquire into— (a) the claim preferred before him under clause (b) of section 21, and (b) the existence of any right mentioned in section 19 and not claimed under clause (b) of section 21, so far as the same may be ascertainable from the records of the State Government and the evidence of any person acquainted with the same.
Powers of Collector
For the §22 inquiry the Collector wields civil-court trial powers and can enter, survey, demarcate and map the land, either personally or through any officer he authorises.
For the purpose of such inquiry, the Collector may exercise the following powers, namely:— (a) the power to enter in or upon any land and to survey, demarcate and make a map of the same or to authorise any other officer to do so; (b) the same powers as are vested in a civil court for the trial of suits.
Acquisition of rights
On admitted claims, the Collector may either exclude the land from the sanctuary, acquire it (or the rights) under the Land Acquisition Act 1894, or — post-1991 — allow the right to continue inside the sanctuary in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden.
(1) In the case of a claim to a right in or over any land referred to in section 19, the Collector shall pass an order admitting or rejecting the same in whole or in part.
(2) If such claim is admitted in whole or in part, the Collector may either— (a) exclude such land from the limits of the proposed sanctuary, or (b) proceed to acquire such land or rights, except where by an agreement between the owner of such land or holder of rights and the Government, the owner or holder of such rights has agreed to surrender his rights to the Government, in or over such land, and on payment of such compensation, as is provided in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894; (c) allow, in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden, the continuation of any right of any person in or over any land within the limits of the sanctuary.
Acquisition proceedings
Where rights are acquired, the Collector is treated as a Collector under the Land Acquisition Act 1894 — claimant becomes an §9 LAA party, compensation can be in land, money or both, and stoppage of public ways or common pasture must be replaced where practicable. The acquisition is deemed for a public purpose.
(1) For the purpose of acquiring such land, or rights in or over such land,— (a) the Collector shall be deemed to be a Collector, proceeding under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894; (b) the claimant shall be deemed to be a person interested and appearing before him in pursuance of a notice given under section 9 of that Act; (c) the provisions of the sections, preceding section 9 of that Act, shall be deemed to have been complied with; (d) where the claimant does not accept the award made in his favour in the matter of compensation, he shall be deemed, within the meaning of section 18 of that Act, to be a person interested who has not accepted the award, and shall be entitled to proceed to claim relief against the award under the provisions of Part III of that Act; (e) the Collector, with the consent of the claimant, or the court, with the consent of both the parties, may award compensation in land or money or partly in land and partly in money; and (f) in the case of the stoppage of a public way or a common pasture, the Collector may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, provide for an alternative public way or common pasture, as far as may be practicable or convenient.
(2) The acquisition under this Act of any land or interest therein shall be deemed to be acquisition for a public purpose.
Time-limit for completion of acquisition proceedings
The Collector should complete §§19–25 proceedings within two years of the §18 notification — but missing the deadline does not lapse the notification.
(1) The Collector shall, as far as possible, complete the proceedings under sections 19 to 25 (both inclusive), within a period of two years from the date of notification of declaration of sanctuary under section 18.
(2) The notification shall not lapse if, for any reasons, the proceedings are not completed within a period of two years.
Delegation of Collector's powers
The State may, by general or special order, transfer the Collector's §§19–25 powers and functions to any other specified officer.
The State Government may, by general or special order, direct that the powers exercisable or the functions to be performed by the Collector under sections 19 to 25 (both inclusive) may be exercised and performed by such other officer as may be specified in the order.
Declaration of area as sanctuary
After claims have been disposed of (or where reserve forest / territorial waters are being added), the State issues the final notification fixing the sanctuary's limits and effective date. Territorial-waters inclusion needs Centre concurrence and the Chief Naval Hydrographer's input; innocent passage of vessels is preserved; boundaries cannot be altered without the National Board's recommendation.
(1) When— (a) a notification has been issued under section 18 and 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 sanctuary, have been disposed of by the State Government; or (b) any area comprised within any reserve forest or any part of the territorial waters, which is considered by the State Government to be of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life or its environment, is to be included in a sanctuary, the State Government shall issue a notification specifying the limits of the area which shall be comprised within the sanctuary and declare that the said area shall be sanctuary on and from such date as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that where any part of the territorial waters is to be so included, prior concurrence of the Central Government shall be obtained by the State Government:
Provided further that the limits of the area of the territorial waters to be included in the sanctuary shall be determined in consultation with the Chief Naval Hydrographer of the Central Government and after taking adequate measures to protect the occupational interests of the local fishermen.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the right of innocent passage of any vessel or boat through the territorial waters shall not be affected by the notification issued under sub-section (1).
(3) No alteration of the boundaries of a sanctuary shall be made by the State Government except on a recommendation of the National Board.
Restriction on entry in sanctuary
Only public servants on duty, residents permitted by the Chief Wild Life Warden, immovable-property right-holders, public-highway users and their dependents may enter or reside in a sanctuary without a §28 permit. Residents must prevent offences, assist enforcement, report wild-animal deaths and fight fires. Damaging boundary marks, teasing animals or littering is barred.
(1) No person other than,— (a) a public servant on duty, (b) a person who has been permitted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer to reside within the limits of the sanctuary, (c) a person who has any right over immovable property within the limits of the sanctuary, (d) a person passing through the sanctuary along a public highway, and (e) the dependants of the person referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c), shall enter or reside in the sanctuary, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a permit granted under section 28.
(2) Every person shall, so long as he resides in the sanctuary, be bound— (a) to prevent the commission, in the sanctuary, of an offence against this Act; (b) where there is reason to believe that any such offence against this Act has been committed in such sanctuary, to help in discovering and arresting the offender; (c) to report the death of any wild animal and to safeguard its remains until the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer takes charge thereof; (d) to extinguish any fire in such sanctuary of which he has knowledge or information and to prevent from spreading, by any lawful means in his power, any fire within the vicinity of such sanctuary of which he has knowledge or information; and (e) to assist any forest officer, Chief Wild Life Warden, Wild Life Warden or police officer demanding his aid for preventing the commission of any offence against this Act or in the investigation of any such offence.
(3) No person shall, with intent to cause damage to any boundary-mark of a sanctuary or to cause wrongful gain as defined in the Indian Penal Code, 1860, alter, destroy, move or deface such boundary-mark.
(4) No person shall tease or molest any wild animal or litter the grounds of sanctuary.
Grant of permit
The Chief Wild Life Warden may grant a fee-paid permit, on conditions, to enter or reside in a sanctuary for the study of wildlife, photography, scientific research, tourism, or lawful business with a resident.
(1) The Chief Wild Life Warden may, on application, grant to any person a permit to enter or reside in a sanctuary for all or any of the following purposes, namely:— (a) investigation or study of wild life and purposes ancillary or incidental thereto; (b) photography; (c) scientific research; (d) tourism; (e) transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary.
(2) A permit to enter or reside in a sanctuary shall be issued subject to such conditions and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
Destruction, etc., in a sanctuary prohibited without a permit
No one may destroy, exploit or remove wildlife or forest produce, damage habitat, or divert/stop/enhance water flow in or out of a sanctuary except under a Chief Wild Life Warden permit. That permit needs State Government satisfaction (after consulting the Board) that the action is necessary for better wildlife management. Removed forest produce can only meet bona fide local personal needs — never commercial use.
No person shall destroy, exploit or remove any wild life including forest produce from a sanctuary 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 sanctuary, 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 Board that such removal of wild life from the sanctuary or the change in the flow of water into or outside the sanctuary 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 sanctuary the same may be used for meeting the personal bona fide needs of the people living in and around the sanctuary and shall not be used for any commercial purpose.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, grazing or movement of livestock permitted under clause (d) of section 33 shall not be deemed to be an act prohibited under this section.
Causing fire prohibited
No one may set fire to a sanctuary, kindle a fire, or leave any fire burning in it in a manner that endangers the sanctuary.
No person shall set fire to a sanctuary, or kindle any fire, or leave any fire burning, in a sanctuary, in such manner as to endanger such sanctuary.
Prohibition of entry into sanctuary with weapon
Entry with any weapon requires the Chief Wild Life Warden's prior written permission.
No person shall enter a sanctuary with any weapon except with the previous permission in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer.
Ban on use of injurious substances
Chemicals, explosives or any other substances that may injure or endanger wildlife may not be used inside a sanctuary.
No person shall use, in a sanctuary, chemicals, explosives or any other substances which may cause injury to, or endanger, any wild life in such sanctuary.
Control of sanctuaries
The Chief Wild Life Warden controls and maintains every sanctuary — building roads, bridges and fences (commercial tourist lodges, hotels, zoos and safari parks need National Board approval), securing wild animals, improving habitat and regulating or banning livestock grazing.
The Chief Wild Life Warden shall be the authority who shall control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries and for that purpose, within the limits of any sanctuary,— (a) may construct such roads, bridges, buildings, fences or barrier gates, and carry out such other works as he may consider necessary for the purposes of such sanctuary:
Provided that no construction of commercial tourist lodges, hotels, zoos and safari parks shall be undertaken inside a sanctuary except with the prior approval of the National Board.
(b) shall take such steps as will ensure the security of wild animals in the sanctuary and the preservation of the sanctuary and wild animals therein; (c) may take such measures, in the interests of wild life, as he may consider necessary for the improvement of any habitat; (d) may regulate, control or prohibit, in keeping with the interests of wild life, the grazing or movement of livestock.
Immunisation of live-stock
The Chief Wild Life Warden must arrange for livestock kept in or within 5 km of a sanctuary to be immunised against communicable diseases; no un-immunised livestock may enter a sanctuary.
(1) The Chief Wild Life Warden shall take such measures in such manner, as may be prescribed, for immunisation against communicable diseases of the live-stock kept in or within five kilometres of a sanctuary.
(2) No person shall take, or cause to be taken or grazed, any live-stock in a sanctuary without getting it immunised.
Advisory Committee
Each State sets up an Advisory Committee headed by the Chief Wild Life Warden (or a Conservator of Forests) — with the local MLA, three Panchayati Raj reps, two NGOs, three conservationists, plus Home, Veterinary and the sanctuary's officer-in-charge — to advise on better conservation with people-participation.
(1) The State Government shall constitute an Advisory Committee consisting of the Chief Wild Life Warden or his nominee not below the rank of Conservator of Forests as its head and shall include a member of the State Legislature within whose constituency the sanctuary is situated, three representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, two representatives of non-governmental organisations and three individuals active in the field of wild life conservation, one representative each from departments dealing with Home and Veterinary matters, Honorary Wild Life Warden, if any, and the officer-in-charge of the sanctuary as Member-Secretary.
(2) The Committee shall render advice on measures to be taken for better conservation and management of the sanctuary including participation of the people living within and around the sanctuary.
(3) The Committee shall regulate its own procedure including quorum.
Registration of certain persons in possession of arms
Within 3 months of a sanctuary's declaration, every Arms-Act licence-holder living in or within 10 km of it must apply to the Chief Wild Life Warden for registration. Fresh Arms-Act licences within 10 km of a sanctuary need the Chief Wild Life Warden's prior concurrence.
(1) Within three months from the declaration of any area as a sanctuary, every person residing in or within ten kilometres of any such sanctuary and holding a licence granted under the Arms Act, 1959, for the possession of arms or exempted from the provisions of that Act and possessing arms, shall apply in such form, on payment of such fee and within such time as may be prescribed, to the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer, for the registration of his name.
(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer shall register the name of the applicant in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) No new licences under the Arms Act, 1959 shall be granted within a radius of ten kilometres of a sanctuary without the prior concurrence of the Chief Wild Life Warden.
Declaration of National Parks
The State declares a National Park by notification on ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological or zoological grounds. The §§19–26A sanctuary rights-settlement applies (minus §24(2)(c)'s 'right continuation'). After claims and rights are settled and vested in the State, a final notification fixes the Park's limits and date. Boundaries cannot be altered without National Board recommendation. No grazing of livestock is permitted in a National Park. §§27, 28, 30–32, 33(a)/(b)/(c) and 33A apply mutatis mutandis.
(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.
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 19 to 26A (both inclusive except clause (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.
(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.
(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 live-stock shall be permitted in a National Park and no live-stock shall be allowed to enter therein except where such 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 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.
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.
[Omitted] — Declaration of game reserve
Repealed by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991. The earlier 'game reserve' category was abolished.
Omitted by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), section 24, with effect from 2 October 1991.
Declaration and management of a conservation reserve
The State, after consulting local communities, may declare Government-owned land adjacent to a National Park/sanctuary or linking two protected areas a conservation reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora, fauna and habitat. Central-Government land needs Centre concurrence. Key sanctuary provisions (§§18(2), 27(2)–(4), 30, 32, 33(b)–(c)) apply.
(1) The State Government may, after having consultations with the local communities, declare any area owned by the Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries and those areas which link one protected area with another, as a conservation reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat:
Provided that where the conservation reserve includes any land owned by the Central Government, its prior concurrence shall be obtained before making such declaration.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (2) of section 18, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 27, sections 30, 32 and clauses (b) and (c) of section 33 shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a conservation reserve as they apply in relation to a sanctuary.
Conservation reserve management committee
Each conservation reserve gets a management committee chaired by a Forest/Wild Life officer (Member-Secretary), with one rep per Village Panchayat in jurisdiction, three NGOs in wildlife conservation, and one rep each from Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments.
(1) The State Government shall constitute a conservation reserve management committee to advise the Chief Wild Life Warden to conserve, manage and maintain the conservation reserve.
(2) The committee shall consist of a representative of the forest or Wild Life Department, who shall be the Member-Secretary of the Committee, one representative of each Village Panchayat in whose jurisdiction the reserve is located, three representatives of non-governmental organisations working in the field of wild life conservation and one representative each from the Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.
(3) The Committee shall regulate its own procedure including the quorum.
Declaration and management of community reserve
Where a community or individual volunteers to conserve wildlife and habitat, the State may declare private or community land (outside a Park/sanctuary/conservation reserve) a community reserve for fauna, flora and traditional/cultural conservation. After notification, land-use change requires the management committee's resolution and State approval.
(1) The State Government may, where the community or an individual has volunteered to conserve wild life and its habitat, declare any private or community land not comprised within a National Park, sanctuary or a conservation reserve, as a community reserve, for protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (2) of section 18, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 27, sections 30, 32 and clauses (b) and (c) of section 33 shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a community reserve as they apply in relation to a sanctuary.
(3) After the issue of notification under sub-section (1), no change in the land use pattern shall be made within the community reserve, except in accordance with a resolution passed by the management committee and approval of the same by the State Government.
Community reserve management committee
The committee comprises five Panchayat (or Gram Sabha) nominees plus one Forest/Wild Life rep; it prepares and implements the management plan, protects wildlife, and elects a Chairman who is also the Honorary Wild Life Warden for the reserve.
(1) The State Government shall constitute a Community Reserve management committee, which shall be the authority responsible for conserving, maintaining and managing the community reserve.
(2) The committee shall consist of five representatives nominated by the Village Panchayat or where such Panchayat does not exist by the members of the Gram Sabha and one representative of the State Forests or Wild Life Department under whose jurisdiction the community reserve is located.
(3) The committee shall be the competent authority to prepare and implement the management plan for the community reserve and to take steps to ensure the protection of wild life and its habitat in the reserve.
(4) The committee shall elect a Chairman who shall also be the Honorary Wild Life Warden on the community reserve.
(5) The committee shall regulate its own procedure including the quorum.
[Omitted] — Declaration of closed area
Repealed by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, with effect from 1 April 2003.
Omitted by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 2003), section 21, with effect from 1 April 2003.
Power of Central Government to declare areas as sanctuaries or National Parks
Where the State leases or transfers an area to the Centre (outside an existing sanctuary), the Centre — if the §18 or §35 conditions are met — may itself declare it a sanctuary or National Park. For such central protected areas, the Director (or Director-authorised officer) exercises the Chief Wild Life Warden's powers, and references to the State Government and State Legislature read as Central Government and Parliament.
(1) Where the State Government leases or otherwise transfers any area under its control, not being an area within a sanctuary, to the Central Government, the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that the conditions specified in section 18 are fulfilled in relation to the area so transferred to it, declare such area, by notification, to be a sanctuary and the provisions of sections 18 to 35 (both inclusive), 54 and 55 shall apply in relation to such sanctuary as they apply in relation to a sanctuary declared by the State Government.
(2) The Central Government may, if it is satisfied that the conditions specified in section 35 are fulfilled in relation to any area referred to in sub-section (1), whether or not such area has been declared, to be a sanctuary by the Central Government or the State Government, declare such area, by notification, to be a National Park and the provisions of sections 35, 54 and 55 shall apply in relation to such National Park as they apply in relation to a National Park declared by the State Government.
(3) In relation to a sanctuary or National Park declared by the Central Government, the powers and duties of the Chief Wild Life Warden under the sections referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2), shall be exercised and discharged by the Director or by such other officer as may be authorised by the Director in this behalf and references, in the sections aforesaid, to the State Government shall be construed as references to the Central Government and reference therein to the Legislature of the State shall be construed as a reference to Parliament.