COIMBATORE: A 24-year-old youth from Hyderabad was detained for allegedly operating a drone in the banned forest area of Coonoor in Nilgiris district on Friday.

Shiva Praveen was caught operating a drone around 5.30 pm inside the Government Reserve Forest area of the Coonoor Forest range.

A fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on him, sources said, citing a district forest officer's order. The operation of drones inside the forest area is strictly prohibited, they said, adding that tourists visiting the district enter the reserve forest without permission and operate drones to photograph wildlife, causing disturbances to the animals.

The youth has been detained, and further investigation is ongoing, they said.