Section 8. Plantation of trees in blank area

(1) Where the Divisional Forest Officer is of opinion , on the basis of the report of a revenue officer, not below the rank of a Sub-Divisional Officer or a Horticulture Officer, not below the rank of a District Horticulture Officer or a Soil Conservation Officer not below the rank of Bhoomi Sanrakshan Adhikari or any forest officer not below the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forest, otherwise that trees should be planted in a blank area, he may issue a notice to owner, occupier or tenure-holder (hereinafter referred to as claimant) of such area to show-cause why trees should not be planted in such area as may be specified in such notice. (2) The notice referred to in sub-section (1) shall be given in such form and shall contain such particulars and shall be served in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) The Divisional Forest Officer may, after considering the cause, if any shown by the claimant, direct him to plant such number and class of trees as may be specified in the direction. (4) Any person aggrieved from any direction given under sub-section (3) may within 30 days from the date of such direction, prefer an appeal to the Conservator of Forests concerned, whose decision shall be final.