Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over people posting their selfies with scheduled wild animals in social media, PCCF Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden, Susanta Nanda directed them to take action against such people.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has issued instructions to all Divisional Forest Officers, Deputy Director of Similipal North & South (Wildlife), Deputy Director of Nandankanan Zoological Park.
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, he said.
Such act also a violation of the provisions of Section 9 read with Section 2 (I6) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the person concerned is liable for punishment under the said Act with imprisonment upto 7 years, Nanda said.
Further, he said, photograph/selfies with ‘dead wild animals and /or wild animal body parts/ trophies are also being posted in social media in violation of section 39 (I) (a) read with Section 39 (2) & (3) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act punishable under the said Act.
So, he asked the field level officers 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 laws / guidelines in force with permission from forest officials for the purpose,” he pointed out.
Furthermore, the PCCF Wildlife has asked to display helpline numbers at prominent places and in social media to facilitate the sharing of information from persons wanting to help the cause of wildlife.
“But unscrupulous elements trying to gain fame by violating the laws of the land should be taken to task and you need to make them more famous by arresting and forwarding them to the court of law,” the PCCF instructed.
The field level forest officers asked to enforce the order strictly, said sources in State Wildlife Organization.
