Representative image for fine
Credit: iStock Photo
Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar: Forest department personnel took into custody a man, who was injured while trying to take a selfie with a wild jumbo on the national highway that passed through Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 and also took an undertaking from him.
It may be mentioned that a man was attacked by a wild jumbo on national highway 67, at Bandipur, when he tried to take a selfie, on Sunday evening. The jumbo chased the man for a distance and stomped him. However, he escaped with minor injuries.
The traffic was affected for a while on the stretch due to the incident. The Forest department launched a search and traced him on Monday.
R Basavaraj, a resident of Nanjangud is the accused, who violated the wildlife norms by going near the wild jumbo.
He was taken into custody at his residence in Nanjangud and upon inquiry, he confessed to the crime, according to Bandipur Assistant Conservator of Forest.
In the video, Basavaraj has said, “I was returning from Omkapura temple, when I spotted the elephant on the highway. I went near the jumbo and tried to take a selfie, when it chased and attacked me. No one should be involved in such acts. Don’t stop the vehicles on the highways that pass through the forests. Do not get down to attend nature’s call. Do not offer food to the wild animals”.
Intensify patrolling
Learning about the incident, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has directed the officials to launch patrolling vehicles on the highways similar to the patrolling system inside the forest. Stern action should be taken against those who violate norms like offering food to wild animals, getting down from the vehicles, overspeeding and negligent driving, he stated.