Latest news with #IndianFlapShellTurtle
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Two held in Bargarh for painting image of Lord Jagannath on turtle's shell
BARGARH: Two youths, who painted an image of Lord Jagannath on a turtle's shell, were arrested by the Forest department on Tuesday on charges of violating the Wildlife Act. Both are from Bijepur. Ashish Meher had painted the turtle, while Abinash Bagarti filmed the act and shared it on social media. The incident came to light after a video of the act, posted on Meher's Facebook account, went viral. In the video, Meher was seen forcibly handling an Indian Flap Shell Turtle, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and painting its shell with synthetic colours. The turtle was later released into a water body without the paint being removed. General secretary of Snake Helpline Subhendu Mallik flagged the issue with principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha. Mallik pointed out that the act violated Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He also warned that such behaviour, when circulated on social media, could encourage similar acts by others for online fame. Acting on the complaint, the Forest department launched an investigation. Based on video evidence and further inquiries, both Meher and Bagarti were arrested and produced in court. The video, originally uploaded to Meher's Facebook page has since been deleted. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, offences involving Schedule I species can attract up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine of `1 lakh, or both. The Forest department has urged the public to act responsibly and refrain from acts that endanger wildlife or disrespect cultural and religious sentiments. Officials have also appealed to social media users to avoid creating content involving animals that violates ethical or legal boundaries.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Social media influencer lands in soup for painting Lord Jagannath on turtle shell
BARGARH: A social media influencer of Bargarh district has landed in soup for painting an image of Lord Jagannath on the shell of a turtle before releasing it back into the water. In a formal complaint submitted to the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and the chief wildlife warden of Odisha, general secretary of Snake Helpline Subhendu Mallik accused social media influencer Ashish Meher of Bijepur of hunting an Indian Flap Shell Turtle, a Schedule-I species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows Meher forcibly handling the turtle, painting its back with synthetic colours to depict Lord Jagannath, carrying the reptile on a bike, and eventually releasing it into a water body without removing the paint. 'This act is not only a clear violation of section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, but also breaches the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Moreover, since turtles are considered divine incarnation in Hindu belief, painting an image of Lord Jagannath on its shell in this manner and leaving it back in the river is disrespectful and deeply hurts religious sentiments,' said Mallik. The complaint called for Meher's immediate arrest, citing an earlier directive issued by the chief wildlife warden to take strict action against such offences. While wildlife activists said such videos may encourage others to commit similar acts for social media attention, the influencer with over 10,000 followers on Facebook has removed the video following the controversy.
