Trespassing in Ponmudi reserve forest: Search on for man

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the forest department in Kollam registered a case against YouTuber Amala Anu for trespassing into a reserve forest, the Palode range office here is in search for a person who had trespassed into Ponmudi reserve forest and shot a video of wild animals using a helicam.
The incident happened on Monday.
According to forest department officials, guards on duty saw a man, aged around 30, flying a helicam in the forest range. When he was asked to stop, he ran away with the camera.
The officials of the forest department have been checking the CCTV footage nearby to identify the trespasser.
Once the person is identified, a case will be registered against him under sections of the Kerala Forest Act 27 (1) (E) (4) for trespassing into the forest.
An official told TOI that such offences are common in Palode range as in the current year alone, 18 cases have been registered. In 2021, 36 cases were registered and 34 in 2020. The offences include illegal tree felling, trespassing into the forest and causing wildfires.
Due to the rise in offences, we have strengthened patrolling in the forest, said an officer.
Meanwhile, YouTuber Anu of Kilimanoor -- who had encroached into Mambazhathara reserve forests -- has been absconding and the efforts by the forest officers to arrest her had gone in vain.
Anu is believed to be in Coimbatore. Her anticipatory bail plea is yet to be considered by the high court.