Bhubaneswar: The Snake Helpline in Odisha has sought action against a video posted in a social media on hunting and cooking of Indian Flap Shell Turtle.
General secretary of Snake Helpline Subhendu Mallik, in a letter to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Odisha, has stated that the video was released on Instagram and YouTube.
It showed hunting, cooking and eating of the turtle, which is Schedule I species.
A youth was reported to have uploaded a video of the Indian Flap Shell Turtle being cooked and eaten on his YouTube and Instagram accounts.
Mallik said he has downloaded the video and attached it along with the letter. The video which serves as prima facie evidence to the hunting of a Schedule-I reptile is a blatant violation of the crucial Section 9 of WLPA.
Furthermore, the person who shot the video is equally liable for the crime for encouraging the crime under Section 52 of WLPA. “I have also attached screenshots with URL for convenience during the future investigations,” he said.
The video was believed to have been shot in Odisha and the person involved seems to be an Odia. Such a video will surely encourage others to consume turtle meat in the state, Mallik said.
It is also a matter of concern that one person arrested by DFO-Bhadrak for posting snake handling videos and another couple arrested by DFO-Cuttack for monkey handling/feeding videos last year have again resorted to the same.
The sole purpose of posting wildlife handling/hunting videos in different social media is to garner more likes/views to get easy & illegal money from the social media companies, said Mallik.
It is also a matter of shame that many persons supposed to be arrested for posting snake handling videos on different social media platforms are now listed as ‘Master Snake Rescuers’ by the department. Understandably, the social media activities were not considered before selecting the rescuers.
“I, therefore, request your good office to take appropriate strict action against any person who hunts scheduled wildlife and uploads the videos in Odisha on different social media platforms,” Mallik added.
It may be noted that turtle is protected as a Schedule-I reptile under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and hunting it is punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years or a fine of Rs one lakh or both.
