(4)Whenever in a protected forest -(a)fire is caused wilfully or by gross negligence; or(b)theft of forest produce occurs and such theft is, in the opinion of the State Government on such a scale as to be likely to imperil the future yield of such forest;the State Government may, on the recommendation of the Collector of the district and notwithstanding that any penalty has been inflicted under this section or under any other law for any act referred to in Clause (a) or Clause (b), direct that in such forest or any portion thereof the exercise of any right of pasture or to. forest produce shall be suspended for such period as they think fit :Provided that before making any recommendation to the State Government, the Collector shall give the persons concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
