Prohibition of cutting of trees

(1) No person shall, without the previous permission in writing of the committee- (a) cut, uproot or burn, or cause to be cut, uprooted or burnt, any tree, or (b) fell or remove any tree which, constitutes dangers to life or property, or is dead or diseased or wind fallen, or has silviiculturally matured, or (c) cut or remove any tree for the improvement of coffee crop in any coffee plantation in such area in any hill area as the Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf; Provided that where permission to cut or remove a tree is granted on the grounds referred to in clauses (a) to (c) above, the Committee shall impose as a condition the effective regeneration of an equal number of the same or other suitable species of trees, and for that purpose, may require the person to whom the permission is granted to deposit with the Committee a sum not exceeding Rs. 100 for each tree permitted to be cut or removed. (1-A) Not withstanding anything contained sub-section(1), permission may be granted by the Government to any person to clear any land by cutting, uprooting or burning or causing to be cut, uprooted or burnt any tree subject to the condition, that the land so cleared shall be used for growing coffee or tea. (2) No person shall cut or otherwise damage, or cause to be cut or damaged, the branch or any tree; Provided that this shall not be deemed to prevent the pruning of any trace as required by ordinary agricultural or horticultural practice; Provided further that nothing contained in this sub-section shall be deemed to prevent the cutting or pruning of the branch of any tree for the purpose of providing proper shade for coffee or ten plantation.