Sir Jadeja in trouble over ‘Lion Selfie’

Local Press Co 5-point Snippet

1. On Thursday, the Gujarat Forest Department ordered an inquiry against cricketer Ravindra Jadeja after his lion selfie taken at Gir forest went viral on social media.

2. The Indian all-rounder was in Junagadh for a holiday with his wife on June 14 and 15 during which he visited Gir National Park and Sanctuary (GNPS) for a lion safari.

3. Halfway into the National Park, the couple spotted a pride of lions. Following which, the couple got down from the vehicle and posed for pictures in front of the lions. Later, the cricketer took to social media to post the pictures and because of his formidable fan following, the images went viral.

4. While speaking to Indian Express, chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Junagadh wildlife circle Aniruddh Pratap Singh said, “GNPS is a protected forest and tourists are not allowed to get down from vehicles while inside the jungle. But pictures showing the cricketer having got down from vehicle in the jungle and having taken selfies with lions are circulating on social media. Even some forest guards are seen with him in photographs. Therefore, we have ordered GNPS superintendent to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report.”

5. GNPS superintendent Ram Ratan Nala who was away from office at the time of the incident said, “We have come to know that Jadeja got down from vehicle and took selfies with lions. Two range forest officers also happened to be in that part of the jungle at that time. We are inquiring into the incident and it is difficult at this juncture to tell what offence is made out against him. But merely getting down in the sanctuary is an offence.”