By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The Forest Department has cautioned the public and tourists against entering the Dasara elephant camp on the palace premises and warned of imposing fine and prosecution if found violating the directives.

The Deputy Conservator of Forest Prabhugoud said that a woman sneaked into the elephant camp on the night of September 18, ventured close to the elephants, took photographs and made reels which were uploaded on social media.

The department was in the process of identifying the woman and prosecuting her as she had not sought the permission of the staff, he said.

This apart, there have been three other incidents in which some persons made unauthorised entry into the elephant camp for photographing the animals without permission, and were penalized ₹1000 each before being let off.

Mr. Prabhugoud said in future, the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act would be invoked against those trespassing into the elephant camps and dealt with seriously as such a behaviour poses threat to the safety of the animals and individuals concerned.

He said only the Forest Department personnel, the family members of the mahouts, and their assistants, and media personnel are permitted to enter the elephant camp.