Tue Jan 07 07:11:55 UTC 2025: ## Bombay High Court Condemns Tourist Harassment of Tigress and Cubs in Indian Sanctuary
**Nagpur, India – January 7, 2025** – The Bombay High Court has sharply criticized the actions of tourists who obstructed a tigress and her cubs in Maharashtra’s Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary on New Year’s Eve. Viral videos showed multiple safari vehicles surrounding the tigress (identified as F-2) and her five cubs, hindering their movement to facilitate photo and video opportunities.
The court took suo motu cognizance of the incident and issued a notice to the state’s principal chief conservator of forests, demanding a detailed report on actions taken and preventative measures. A hearing is scheduled for January 8th.
In response, the state forest department suspended four drivers and guides for three months, imposing fines of ₹25,000 on the drivers and ₹1,000 on the guides. Cases have also been filed under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Furthermore, tourists involved have been permanently banned from the sanctuary.
Pench Tiger Reserve’s deputy director, Prabhu Nath Shukla, stated that the tourists violated sanctuary rules. A committee has been formed to suggest improvements to prevent future incidents, and increased patrolling and awareness programs for guides and drivers are underway.
First Piper 