Gir Forest Crackdown: 75 Cases, Rs.13.30 Lakh Fine Recovered

GANDHINAGAR : The Forest Department, committed to protecting Asiatic lions and forest resources, has taken strict action against illegal activities and violations of the Wildlife Protection Act. On the instructions of Forest and Environment Minister Shri Arjun Modhwadia, the Gir East Forest Division registered 75 offences and recovered fines of over Rs. 13.30 lakh in the last four months.

In addition, the Forest Department has registered 38 offences against those entering the sanctuary area without authorization and taken action as per the rules, imposing fines of approximately Rs. 7,76,400/-. This includes 08 offences related to the hunting of wild animals. Of these, court proceedings are currently underway in 04 cases. In the remaining 04 cases, punitive action has been taken and a fine of Rs. 2,20,000 has been recovered.

The Forest Department has registered 16 offences against offenders transporting timber without a valid permit or transit pass and recovered a fine of Rs. 3,03,000. To maintain the environmental cleanliness of the sanctuary area, 17 offences were registered for dumping plastic waste and illegally grazing livestock in reserved grassland, and a fine of Rs. 32,500 was recovered.

The Forest Department has appealed to citizens that if any person is found in their vicinity engaging in illegal activities such as harassing wild animals, illegal hunting, unauthorized entry into restricted forest areas or theft of timber, the matter should be immediately reported to the nearest Forest Department office or staff.

The Office of the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gir-East, Amreli, has also stated that if any reel, photograph or video related to the harassment of lions or other wildlife, illegal lion shows/sightings, entry into prohibited areas or hunting is found on social media, its details should also be immediately reported.