Tirupur: Two pilgrims from Kerala were slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Monday for possessing an Indian star tortoise that they found on roadside near Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) at Udumalpet here.
According to forest officials, R Sasi, 44, and K Krishnamoorthi, 32, both from Marayoor in Idukki district, were returning home on a motorcycle after visiting the Amanalingeswarar temple on Thirumoorthi hills in Udumalpet on Sunday. The duo was stopped at a checkpost of the Kerala forest department on the Udumalpet-Munnar road.
“While the duo was writing details of their vehicle on a register, officials found the 3-month-old tortoise in Sasi’s shirt pocket. On questioning, the duo said they found the tortoise on a road near S-bend in Udumalpet and took it with them to show it to their children,” said a forest officer.
The Kerala forest department handed over the duo to their counterparts in Udumalpet. “As the Indian star tortoise is listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife Act, 1972, we booked them and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each. Since the duo did not have any intention to smuggle the tortoise for commercial purpose, we released them after they paid the fine,” said C Dhanabalan, Udumalpet forest ranger.