  Production cross sections of evaporation residues, $^{149}$Tb, $^{150}$Tb,
$^{151}$Tb and $^{149}$Gd, have been measured using the stacked foil technique
followed by off-line $\gamma$-spectrometry in $^{12}$C induced reactions on
naturally abundant mononuclidic praseodymium target in the 44-79 MeV incident
energy range. Measured data have been interpreted comparing with previous
measurements and theoretical prediction of nuclear reaction model code
\textsc{PACE4}. About 5% and 14% of the theoretical cross sections have been
measured for $^{149}$Tb and $^{150}$Tb, respectively. The new cross sections of
$^{149}$Tb complement those measured earlier by $\alpha$-spectrometry. Cross
sections of $^{151}$Tb are comparable to the theory. Cumulative cross section
of $^{149}$Gd sheds light on the nuclear reaction mechanism. In addition, a
discussion has been made to show the feasibility of producing $^{149}$Tb in
$p$- and $\alpha$-induced reactions on gadolinium isotopes.
