Kendujhar: Forest department officials have detained a youth for allegedly harassing a wild tusker after a video of the incident surfaced on social media, officials said Thursday. “Ganesh Nayak, 20, of Godhuli village under Champua police limits, was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to provoke and harm the elephant despite repeated warnings,” Divisional Forest Officer Dhanraj HD said.
Officials said harming or disturbing elephants is a non-bailable offence under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with a provision of up to seven years imprisonment, along with penalty. Despite repeated awareness campaigns, some people continue to provoke wild elephants for photographs and videos, the department said. Ganesh allegedly approached elephants in Champua, Patana, Kendujhar and Ghatgaon ranges, took selfies and videos for social media, and engaged in acts such as throwing stones, hitting the animals with sticks and pulling their tails. Officials said such behaviour often provokes elephants, increasing the risk of attacks and escalating human-elephant conflict.
In a separate incident, another video showed a youth from Chinnamalipasi village under Patana range filming a sleeping elephant and sharing the footage on social media while inviting others to the spot. Forest officials alleged that he also argued with Forest Department personnel who tried to stop him. The department said action would also be taken against him and warned that anyone found harassing or harming elephants would face legal action.
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