In Resolution No.13/52/F, dated the 12th May 1952, the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Food and Agriculture enunciated a Forest Policy to be followed in the management of State Forests in the country. However, over the years,* forests in the country have suffered serious depletion. This is attributable to relentless pressures arising from the ever-increasing demand for fuel-wood, fodder, and timber; inadequacy of protection measures; diversion of forest lands to non-forest uses without ensuring compensatory afforestation and essential environmental safeguards; and the tendency to look upon forests as revenue earning resource. The need to review the situation and to evolve, for the future, a new strategy of forest conservation has become imperative. Conservation includes preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration, and enhancement of the natural environment. It has thus become necessary to review and revise the National Forest Policy.

This Act may be called the Road Transport Corporations Act, of 1950. Provided that on and from the Commencement of the Delhi Road Transport Laws (Amendment) Act, 1971, this Act, as amended by the said Act, Shall extend to, and be in force in the Union territory of Delhi.

In these rules unless the context otherwise requires, "Act" means the National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956); "approved Work" means any original work on a national highway in respect of which the Central Government has accorded technical approval and financial Sanction;

इस अधिनियम का संक्षिप्त नाम राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग अधिनियम, 1956 है। इसका विस्तार सम्पूर्ण भारत पर है। यह उस तारीख को प्रवृत्त होगा जिसे केन्द्रीय सरकार राजपत्र में अधिसूचना द्वारा नियत करें।