Keonjhar: Forest officials detained a 20-year-old youth for allegedly harassing elephants in the district despite repeated warnings.Identified as Ganesh Naik of Godhuli village under Champua police station, the man was detained after the forest department acted on a video purportedly showing the harassment, sources said. “Harming an elephant is a non-bailable offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and attracts up to seven years’ imprisonment along with a fine. Despite this, many youths in Keonjhar are teasing elephants. Action will be taken against anyone found harming elephants in any way,” said Dhanraj HD, divisional forest officer, Keonjhar.Sources said youths have been approaching wild elephants to take photos and videos for social media, and have also been seen throwing stones, beating the animals with sticks and pulling their tails. Such acts agitate elephants and can trigger attacks on humans, aggravating man-elephant conflict in the district, they said.Forest staff said Naik had allegedly been involved in similar acts in areas where elephants move, including Champua, Patna, Kendujhar and Ghatagaon ranges.In another incident, a youth, identified as Himanshu of Chinnamalipasi under Patna forest range, was reportedly found filming elephants while they were sleeping. When forest staff objected, he allegedly argued and misbehaved with them. Sources said he shared photos over WhatsApp groups and on other social media platforms, inviting others to reach the spot.
