18. Insertion of new section 34A.-After section 34 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-
"34A. Power to remove encroachment.-(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any officer not below the rank of an Assistant Conservator of Forests may,- (a) evict any person from a sanctuary or National Park, who unauthorisedly occupies Government land in contravention of the provisions of this Act; (b) remove any unauthorised structures, buildings, or constructions erected on any Government land within any sanctuary or National Park and all the things, tools and effects belonging to such person shall be confiscated, by an order of an officer not be ow the rank of the Deputy Conservator of Forests: Provided that no such order shall be passed unless the affected person is given an opportunity of being heard.
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply notwithstanding any other penalty which may be inflicted for violation of any other provision of this Act.".
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