Power to declare forest reserves

(1) Where the Minister is satisfied, after such inquiry as may be necessary, that any part of the national land should become a forest reserve, and that such rights and privileges of private persons as may exist in respect of such land have been satisfactorily defined and recorded, he may by Order declare the land to be a forest reserve and may from time to time alter, vary or revoke such Order. CAP. 215. (2) The exercise by the Minister of the power under sub- section (1) is subject to the requirements of sections 14, 17 and 19 of the National Protected Areas System Act. 9 (3) Where any national land declared as a forest reserve no longer serves the purpose for which it was declared, the Minister shall, by Order published in the Gazette, subject to an affirmative resolution, revoke the declaration. (4) Prior to revoking a declaration in accordance with sub- section (3), the Minister shall hold public consultations with person having an interest in the land so declared, including users of the land.