A still from a reality show where a woman is seen praying to a cobra.
The Karnataka Forest Department has written to the Press Council of
India to ban display of wild animals and snakes on television channels.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) B.K. Singh has
written to Justice Markandeya Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India,
stating that the possession of wild animals for television shows is a
crime under the Wildlife Protection Act and channels with such shows
must be warned.
Last month, officials of the CID Forest Cell raided a Kannada TV
channel and arrested three persons for carrying cobras. They raided
Rockline studio in Nagasandra near Tumkur Road where shooting for a
reality show using snakes was going on. A notice was also served to the
show producers and the channel management.
“Displaying any wildlife under controlled conditions for commercial
use is banned. The animals undergo tremendous stress in front of light
and people around them. The possession of any wildlife is illegal if not
certified by the department. We have no facility to rent out wild
animals for TV shows,” said Mr B K Singh.
He noted that an amendment will be sought to restrict street shows involving animals and snakes.
He noted that an amendment will be sought to restrict street shows involving animals and snakes.
“Dancing bears/ monkey and snake charmers are banned under the law.
But snake charmers surface around temples. They supply snakes to
reality shows and film shootings,” he added.
Wildlife expert Praveen Bhargav said mere possession of any wildlife
is an offence under law. “Be it a wild animal or a dead specimen, it
requires a possession certificate from the Chief Wildlife Warden. If
there is no such certificate and, worse, the animals are badly handled,
it is an offence. There are instances where one can possess a wildlife
article unknowingly. But showing them on screen should be avoided. More
awareness is required in this regard,” he said.
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