YouTuber Arrested for Cooking Protected, Rare Lizard Species After Video Goes Viral

Odisha: A YouTuber from Odisha was arrested for allegedly cooking a protected and rare monitor lizard in Mayurbhanj. The act came to light after he posted the video on Facebook and YouTube, which went viral and prompted authorities to act.

Details:

• The accused, Rupa Nayak, hails from Asanbani village.
• He reportedly found a dead monitor lizard near Banta area while returning from his wife’s maternal home in Bhadrak.
• Nayak took the lizard home, cooked it, and recorded the process.

Action Taken:

• The Forest Department took suo motu cognisance and initiated an investigation.
• Nayak was arrested, interrogated, and admitted to the act.
• He has been booked under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Sections 2(16)(a)(b), 9, 39(1)(b), 48(a)(b), and 50(1).
• The case was registered at Thakurmunda Forest Range, and Nayak was produced in court for further proceedings.

Significance:

The incident highlights the legal repercussions of harming protected wildlife species and stresses the need for public awareness regarding wildlife protection laws.