(1)Every person who cuts, removes or otherwise appropriates any tree or any portion thereof which is the property of the State Government or any local authority or a [Gram Panchayat] [Substituted 'Gram Sabha' by U.P. Act No. 4 of 2016, dated 11.3.2016.], without any authority there for shall be liable to pay the value thereof, which shall be recoverable from him in addition to any penalty to which he may be liable under the provisions of this Code for the occupation of the land or otherwise, and notwithstanding any criminal proceedings which may be instituted against him in respect of such cutting, removal or appropriation.
