Difference between Reserved Forest and Protected Forest, Permission

Aspect

Reserved Forest

Protected Forest

Legal Basis

Notified under Section 20 of the Indian Forest Act 1927 or State Forest Acts with highest statutory protection.

Notified under Section 29 of Indian Forest Act 1927 with limited protection provisions.

Degree of Protection

Enjoys full legal protection; considered the most strictly regulated forest category.

Receives partial protection aimed at preventing further depletion.

Permission Rule

All activities prohibited unless specifically permitted by the Forest Officer.

All activities allowed unless expressly restricted by government notification.

Coverage in India

Covers 423,311 sq km, about 55.1% of total recorded forest area.

Covers 217,245 sq km, about 28.3% of total recorded forest area.

Purpose

Maintained as permanent forest estates for timber and forest produce conservation.

Established to regulate use where the government holds proprietary rights.

Control Authority

Constituted by the State Government over government forest land or wasteland.

The State Government is empowered to regulate land other than reserved forests.

Community Rights

Local access is highly restricted during the settlement process.

Certain customary rights may continue unless specifically withdrawn.

Examples

Attappadi Reserve Forest in Kerala; Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu.

Large areas in Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan under this category.

Economic Role

Produces regulated timber and non timber forest products.

Often used to control trees with revenue potential.

Historical Origin

Concept introduced during British administration in 1927 legislation.

Continued after independence with extended state level authority.