State Act

The Odisha Forest Act, 1972.

26. Power of stop ways and water courses in reserved forests :– The Divisional Forest Officer may, in the interests of the general public and without the previous sanction of the State Government or of any officer duly authorised by them in this behalf, close any public or private way or water course or stop the use of water in a reserved forest : Provided that a substitute for the way or water course so closed or, as the case may be, an alternative arrangement for the use of water so stopped, which the State Government deems to be reasonable, convenient and already exists, or has been provided for or constructed by the Divisional Forest Officer in lieu thereof.