Kollam: YouTuber Amala Anu, a resident of Kilimanoor, who went on the run after being booked for entering the forest without permission and filming wildlife, will be served with a notice at her home. The forest department will issue a notice asking them to appear for questioning. According to the Central Forest and Wildlife Act and the Kerala Forest Act, the offenses punishable with imprisonment of one to seven years and a fine of up to ten thousand rupees have been charged against them.
The case is that they entered the Thenmala mango tree forest 6 months ago and uploaded the footage on YouTube in which they filmed the wild elephants with the use of helicam and other cameras and provoked them. The range officer in charge of investigation B. Dileef said that there were 4 people including a minor child with them and they were identified. The forest department will issue a letter to YouTube and the Child Rights Commission for bringing the minor child to the forest.
There is serious lapse on the part of the vlogger as per the Forest and Wildlife Act. It is illegal to copy footage and distribute it on social media or otherwise. The law requires prior permission to be taken to film and include such scenes, including in movies. Even film shooting is allowed only after a formal agreement is drawn up stating that no wildlife should be filmed and no interference should be done to harm their habitat. But vlogger Amala Anu’s videos have been included in the YouTube channel, flouting all these legal aspects. This video has been removed from YouTube after the incident became controversial.
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