59. Officers to be public servants - Every officer referred to 1[in Chapter II and the chairperson, members, member-secretary and other officers and employees referred to in Chapter IVA & *[Chapter IVB] and every other officer exercising any of the powers conferred by this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) of the Indian Penal Code.

*[Inserted by Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006]