Section 8

manage the national parks and the nature reserves;

with the approval of the Minister, acquire any property or any interest therein or any easement over any immovable property, whether by way of purchase, lease, exchange or otherwise;

with the approval of the Minister, sell, mortgage or dispose of any immovable property vested in the Board;

grant any lease, sub-lease or licence of any land vested in the Board except that the approval of the Minister shall be obtained if the lease or sub-lease exceeds 10 years;

enter into contracts for the supply of goods, services or materials or for the execution of works or other contracts as may be necessary for the discharge of its duties and functions under this Act;

receive fees, donations, grants, gifts of movable or immovable property from any source or raise funds by any lawful means;

regulate and control public access to the national parks and the nature reserves;

promote or undertake publicity in any form;

make provision for the specialised training of any employee of the Board and in that connection offer scholarships for such training and expenditure incidental thereto;

make awards of recognition, grants or contributions as the Board considers fit for the purposes of this Act;

offer consultancy services, inform, advise and make recommendations or proposals to the Government or any person on any matter relating to the designation, conservation, development and management of the national parks and the nature reserves, or any other function of the Board;

act in combination or association with any person engaged, concerned or interested in the promotion of the functions of the Board, and pay for or contribute to the cost and expenses involved in such combination or association;

with the approval of the Minister, form or participate in the formation of companies having such objects as may be approved by the Minister; and

do such other acts as are reasonably necessary for the exercise or performance of all or any of the powers or functions of the Board under this Act and for the enforcement of its rules and perform any other function which is incidental or conducive to the attainment or furtherance of the purposes of the Board in accordance with the provisions of this Act.