The Forest department recently fined a man ₹25,000 for disturbing a wild elephant while shooting photos and a video along the Gundlupet-Ooty Road, which passes through Bandipur Forest in Chamarajanagar district. The elephant was peacefully grazing by the roadside when Shahul Hamid, a Gundlupet resident, created noise, violating wildlife protection laws. His video quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage among environmentalists and ecological activists, who demanded his arrest. Based on the viral footage, Forest department officials successfully tracked him down and imposed the fine.
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