Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)

Udupi, Feb 7: Wild animal preservation section of the forest department has got into action against those who feed food to wild animals and discard packets and boxes of parcel food on Agumbe Ghat.

Fines were collected from the drivers of vehicles on Saturday February 6 on a stretch of 10 kms from Someshwara to Agumbe. Around 40 personnel from the wild animal department of Hebri, Karkala, Amasebailu and Siddapura were involved in the operation. Three people were fined on the occasion for throwing food packets on the ghat. They also educated the public at the beginning and end of the ghat. Awareness boards were also placed in this regard.

Bhagavasdas Kudthalkar, assistant forest conservator of Siddapur, Anil Kumar, zonal forest officer of Hebri zone, Sandesh Kumar, zonal forest officer of Amasebailu and personnel of all the four zones participated in the operation.

Rs 100 fine is fixed for throwing garbage and plastic roadside on the ghat. Rs 200 for entering the forest without prior permission, taking bath in waterfalls on the roadside, washing vehicles on the road side, cooking and staying for more time in the national park without strong reason. Rs 50 fine is fixed for feeding wild animals.

Giving details of the operation, Anil Kumar, zonal forest officer, Hebri said, "This operation is being carried out on Saturdays and Sundays, the days on which tourists in large numbers travel through Agumbe Ghat. By offering junk food, consumed by human beings, to wild animals, their food habits will have bad effects. In addition, there is a chance that the wild animals get used to it and attack human beings when they do not get junk food. It also spreads contagious diseases."