Lien on forest produce for such money

When any such money is payable for, or in respect of any forest produce, the amount thereof shall be deemed to be a first charge on such produce, and if such amount be not paid when due, such produce may be taken possession of by or under the authority of a Forest Officer not below the rank of an Assistant Conservator of Forests and may be retained until such amount has been paid, or such Forest Officer may sell such produce by public auction and the proceeds of the sale shall be applied first in discharging such amount. The surplus, if any, if not claimed by the person entitled thereto within six months from the date of the sale, shall be forfeited to the Government.