​River reserves​

River Reserves are strips of land bordering a natural watercourse on both banks, whose widths are of 3 metres, 8 metres or 16 metres on each side according to the status of the watercourse, whether it is a feeder, a rivulet or a river respectively, as per the Forests and Reserves Act No. 41 of 1983. Most of these are privately-owned and are maintained by the riparian owners. Nevertheless, the Forestry Service exercises a strict control on any developments effected thereon and these are under constant surveillance. ​