In Gujarat, two minors among three detained by forest officer for ‘unauthorised entry’ in Gir
21-year-old with two teenage friends entered Gir forest periphery, fled the spot after being noticed by wildlife tracker
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Adding that the offence registered against them is bailable and compoundable, “they were released Monday evening,” the RFO said. Three individuals including two minors were detained Monday by the Veraval range’s forest officers in Gujarat’s Junagadh territorial forest division, for allegedly entering two reserved areas without prior permission from the forest department.
Abdul Kakasiya, 21, and his two 17-year-old friends are residents of Veraval town.
“The trio entered Pandva Vidi, a reserved forest on the western periphery of Gir forest near Talala to watch the lions at around 10.30 pm Friday,” Khimanand Pampaniya, Veraval range forest officer (RFO) said, adding that they failed to spot any lions.
Following which they drove to a nearby river valley where a few lions were camping. Further the RFO said they fled the spot and abandoned their vehicles after being noticed and challenged by a wildlife tracker.
The forest department seized and brought the two bikes and a scooter to Veraval’s RFO office
“The offence was registered under the Indian Forest Act 1927, for entering a protected area without due permission and under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1872, for chasing Asiatic lions,” Pampaniya said.
Adding that the offence registered against them is bailable and compoundable, “they were released Monday evening,” the RFO said, adding that the vehicles were also handed back. In addition, their relatives paid a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh to the forest department.
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