(1) The Ministry may designate an area as a special area for herbs in order to protect and manage important and high-value herbs.
(2) The Divisional Forest Officer may determine the herb pocket area for conservation and management of important and high value herbs found in the forest area within his area of ​​work, species specific or integrated.
(3) The Divisional Forest Officer shall conduct a resource survey of the herb pocket area as per sub-rule (2) subject to the strategic plan as per rule 14 and prepare a herb management plan based on that.
(4) “Herbicide management plan as per sub-rule (3) shall be implemented after approval by the Provincial Forest Director.
(5) The Divisional Forest Officer may form a Herbicide Management Group for the implementation of Herbicide Management Plan approved as per Sub-rule (4).
(6) The Divisional Forest Office shall make proper arrangements for the plantation and conservation of herbs in the forest areas within its jurisdiction. (7) Notwithstanding anything written elsewhere in this rule, if the herb pocket area as per sub-rule (2) falls within the community forest or partnership forest, the relevant consumer group shall include the provisions related to the protection and management of herbs in their action plan to protect, manage and utilize the herbs.