# 2    Restriction on the dereservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purpose

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force in a State, no State Government or other authority shall make, except with the prior approval of the Central Government, any order directing--

(i) that any reserved forest (within the meaning of the expression "reserved forest" in any law for the time being in force in that State) or any portion thereof, shall cease to be reserved;

(ii) that any forest land or any portion thereof may be used for any "non-forest purpose".

Explanation.-- For the purposes of this section "non-forest purpose" means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or portion thereof for any purpose other than reafforestation.