Section 21. Offence and penalty.

21. 1[Offence and penalty].- 2[(1)] Whoever fells any tree or causes any tree to be felled in contravention of the provisions 3[of the Act] or without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any order issued or condition imposed 4[by the Tree Officer or the Tree Authority or voluntarily obstructs any member of the Tree Authority or the Tree Officer or any officers and servants subordinate to him in the discharge of their functions under this Act, shall, on conviction, be punished with the fine of 5[an amount of valuation of tree, using methodology as may be notified by the Government but not more than one lakh rupees] for every offence and also with imprisonment for a term of not less than one week, which may extend upto one year : Provided that, nothing is this section shall apply to the felling of trees on or along the public roads undertaken by the Public Works Department of the State or Central Government.] 6[(2) The felling or causing of felling of each tree without the permission of the Tree Authority shall constitute a separate offence.]