Penalty

If any person contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder- (a) he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both; (b) the specified forest produce in respect of which such contravention have been made or such part thereof as the Court may deem fit shall be forfeited to the Government: Provided that if the Court is of the opinion that it is not necessary, to direct forfeiture in respect of the whole, or, as the case may be, any part of the specified forest produce, it may, for reasons to be recorded, refrain from doing so.