Tourists, tour operators fined Rs 60k for illegal safari in Nilgiris

The forest department personnel added that the jeep was being driven in a rash and negligent manner that could have startled wild animals and even injured them. The tourists identified as Henendranath (41), Ajithkumar (45), Sajithkumar (47) and Satheesh (52) hail from Thiruvananthapuram and were visiting Masinagudi as part of a vacation. 

During enquiry, the tourists informed the forest department personnel that they were lured into going on the safari by the tour guide who owned the jeep. They claimed that they were unaware that the safari was illegal. They added that the tour guide and the driver were canvassing for the jungle safari and they were just unsuspecting victims. They claimed that they came on a vacation to The Nigiris and were hoping to see wild animals up close. 

Forest department personnel who were on a routine inspection inside the forest, intercepted the jeep owned by Aslam, hailing from Achakarai in Masinagudi. The jeep was being driven by Manikandan from Masinagudi. The tourists as well as the tour operators were apprehended at Kalmalai Reserve Forest in Singara Range. 

The forest department staff seized the vehicle and levied a fine of Rs 2,500 on each tourist which amounted to Rs 10,000. The department also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on both the driver and the owner bringing the total penalty to Rs 60,000. The forest department let the tourists off with a warning and stated that the reserve forest is off bounds to everybody. They added that nobody is authorised to take tourists on such tours. 

The department released a statement that stringent action would be taken against people who violated the law by taking tourists on illegal safaris.