Amendment of section 51

In section 51 of the principal Act, after sub-section (1B), the following sub-sections shall be inserted, namely:- (1C) Any person, who commits an offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve or where the offence relates to hunting in the tiger reserve or altering the boundaries of the tiger reserve, such offence shall be punishable on first conviction with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but may extend to seven years, and also with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but may extend to two lakh rupees; and in the event of a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than five lakh rupees but may extend to fifty lakh rupees. (1D) Whoever, abets any offence punishable under sub-section (1C) shall, if the act is not committed in consequence of the abetment, be punishable with the punishment provided for that offence.