Cuttack: Athgarh Forest Division has warned people of facing stringent action, if they attempt to click selfie with wild elephants.
In a letter to range officers, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sasmita Lenka said it has come to his notice that when a herd of wild elephants intrudes into human habitations, youths get close to them and try to take selfie with the elephants.
Besides, a large number of local people gather at the spot, take photos and tease the elephants. Some people also pelt stones at the pachyderms to drive them away. These videos have gone viral on social media, the DFO said.
Stating that such activities will not only harm the wild animals but also cause human casualty, Lenka directed the range officers to ensure that there should be no harm to the elephants or any casualty of human being while driving out the intruding elephants.