12. (1) Where a forest is destroyed or removed, in whole or in part, otherwise than in accordance with this Act, by any means (including fire or natural causes), the owner shall notify the Minister in writing of the particulars of the destruction or removal, including the area, location and extent of the destruction or removal, within 6 months of the occurrence.

(2) Where subsection (1) applies and the owner concerned fails to comply with the requirements therein, that owner shall be guilty of an offence and be liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine.

(3) Where subsection (1) applies, the Minister may serve a replanting order on the owner and subsections (3) to (6) of section 26 shall apply with any necessary modifications.