Whoever fells or abets the felling of any tree or causes any tree to be felled in contravention of the provisions of this Chapter or any rules made thereunder or without any reasonable excuse fails to comply with any order issued or conditions imposed by the Tree Officer or any other officer subordinate to him in the discharge of their functions under the provisions of this Chapter shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment which may extent to three months or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.

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Explanation.–– For the purposes of this section a breach of the provisions of this Chapter or abetment of breach thereof in respect of cutting or destroying each tree shall be a separate offence.