Explain the features of Forest Act, 1865.
The features of Forest Act, 1865 are listed below:
• The 1878 Act divided forests into three categories- reserved, protected and village forests.
• Reserved forests were called the best forests.
• Villagers were not allowed to take anything from the reserved forests, either for personal or commercial use. They were allowed to take wood from protected or village forests for house building or fuel.
After its enactment, the Forest Act, 1865 was amended twice—once in 1878 and then in 1927.