Bhubaneswar: The wildlife wing of the forest department on Friday wrote to all divisional forest officers and deputy directors to treat taking selfies with Schedule-1 species and dead animals as an offence under section 9 (section 2 (16) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The move came after the forest department found people posting photographs on social media with endangered wild animals.
The divisional forest officers, deputy director of Similipal Tiger Reserve (north and south) and director of Nandankanan Zoological Park have been asked to monitor social media and identify violators. The letters sent to the forest officers said, “It is seen that people are posting their photographs, selfies taken with scheduled wild animals on social media. Taking photographs-selfies with such wild animals not only disturb the normal life cycle of the animals but also leads to violation of provisions under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The offender is liable for punishment under the Act with imprisonment up to seven years.” Forest officials said any animals covered under the Act are considered scheduled animals. The letter also said the act of posting photographs/selfies with dead wild animals and wild animal body parts/trophies on social media in violation of Section 39 (I) (a) is also punishable.
“You are requested to spread awareness among the public at large to refrain from such activities. Any one desiring to take photographs of wild animals should abide by the law in force with permission from the forest officials. Helpline numbers may be given on social media to facilitate people wanting to share information to help the cause of wild animals,” said the letter.
Susanta Nanda, principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife, said in the wildlife crime cell at the wildlife headquarters here, a separate section will be created where dedicated manpower will be at work to monitor social media violators as far as use of selfies with scheduled animals are concerned. The forest department on Wednesday put a ban on entry of visitors to three sites where Olive Ridleys lay eggs after it was observed that people were using bright lights to watch nesting and for photography. Bright lights disturb the nesting of turtles.
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