Whenever we spot something unique or interesting, our go-to response is to take a photo or video on our phones to show our friends and family (sometimes even share it online). However, it is also important that we consider the context in a few cases so that we do not become an obstruction or seem insensitive.
According to The Indian Express, on May 31, a few bikers spotted 2 tigers on Padmapur-Moharli road near the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. But instead of clearing their path, they blocked the road to take pictures and videos while honking their horns.
Such incidents cannot be taken lightly, a big accident can happen anytime, even when there is a lockdown, where and why are so many urban bikers going Chandrapur: This viral video of Padmapur-Moharli road.@MahaForest @etadoba @vijaypTOI @collectorchanda @TOI_Nagpur @ntca_india pic.twitter.com/Dd1rUA0zol
— Bandu Dhotre (@banduplan) May 31, 2021
Mid-day quoted wildlife conservationist and Director of The Corbett Foundation Kedar Gore saying,
“This is a potentially dangerous situation. Such crowding of people around tigers needs to be controlled by the forest department to prevent human-tiger conflict. Even people, whether locals or tourists, must respect the tigers’ presence and keep a safe distance. The obsession for taking videos and selfies for social media may prove to be dangerous in such cases. A regulation in vehicle movements and some physical mitigation measures on the road stretch has become necessary for the safety of people and tigers.”
People called their actions highly irresponsible. Take a look:
Unfortunately, the tigers did not attack the useless idiots. Lucky for them.
— Sridhar Ganji (@sganji) June 3, 2021
Fools- should be arrested
— manoj km (@manojkm70522480) June 3, 2021
These people will have to be punished by the full extent of the law
— Ranjan Chacko (@ChackoRanjan) June 4, 2021
Should put these ppl in the same enclosure of the mighty animal fir one day
— Shree (@PatrioticIndia3) June 3, 2021
People should have awareness to treat animals as a living organism.
We have to educate them about laws and regulations. It is important to conduct some awareness programs in order to control this type of situations.— Priya (@Priya49488381) June 3, 2021
The state’s forest department has identified 4 bikers, sent them a show-cause notice for obstructing the movement of the tigers and called them in for questioning. Do you think they should face action for the behaviour? Tell us.