Mon May 12 12:46:56 UTC 2025: ## Nine Arrested for Illegal Trekking and Camping in India’s Seshachalam Biosphere
**Rajampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India –** Nine individuals, including two women, have been arrested for illegally trespassing into the Seshachalam biosphere reserve in Andhra Pradesh, India. The group, apprehended Sunday night, was engaged in unauthorized trekking, camping, and cooking within the ecologically sensitive Talakona forest beat – a core area of the Sri Venkateswara National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
District Forest Officer R. Jagannath Singh stated that the group was caught cooking and consuming alcohol, a serious offense under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Authorities seized camping equipment, cooking utensils, and liquor bottles. The operation was launched following reports of commercialized adventure activities within the protected area.
Investigations reveal the activities were organized by Soma Sekar, who allegedly used an Instagram page to attract participants. Sekar and his accomplices collected fees for unauthorized treks and facilitated camping and other illegal activities.
The DFO expressed concern over the increasing number of illegal adventure groups using social media to promote unregulated forest activities. He highlighted the significant risk to human life posed by wild elephants, leopards, and sloth bears active in the area, noting three recent human deaths caused by elephants in the region.
Those arrested face potential jail terms of three to seven years and fines exceeding ₹10,000. Authorities are also monitoring social media platforms promoting similar illegal activities.
First Piper 