 "Taking selfies with wild animals in Odisha can get you up to 7 years in jail")
A senior official in Odisha stated recently that anyone caught taking selfies or pictures with wild animals without permission can be arrested and sentenced for up to seven years in prison.
“Unscrupulous elements, trying to gain fame by violating the laws of the land, should be made more famous by arresting them and forwarding them to the court of law,” Susanta Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) (Wildlife) instructed the field staff.
In this regard, Nanda has sent a letter to the deputy directors of the Similipal South and North divisions as well as the Nandankanan Zoological Park, as well as the divisional forest officers.
“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 disturbs the normal life cycle of these animals but is also a violation of the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,” Nanda said in the letter.
The person concerned is liable for punishment under the said Act with imprisonment of up to seven years, he stated.
Further, taking selfies and pictures with scheduled wild animal species, their carcasses, body parts and trophies is a punishable offence under the Act, Nanda said.
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More ShortsThose desiring to take photographs of wild animals should abide by the laws/guidelines in force with permission from forest officials for the purpose, the PCCF pointed out.
The field level officials have been asked to display helpline numbers at prominent places and on social media to facilitate the sharing of information from persons wanting to help the cause of wildlife.
The forest officials were asked to spread awareness among people and prevent them from taking photos and selfies with scheduled wildlife species.
With inputs from PTI
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