Bombay-based animal rights NGOs have lodged a joint complaint with the Maharashtra state forest department against actress Chhaya Kadam who claimed in a recent social media interview that she ate the meat of wildlife species such as the mouse deer, porcupines, rabbits, wild boar, and monitor lizard, all of which are protected species.
On behalf of Plant and Animal Welfare Society, OIPA and Amma Care Foundation, activist Sunish N. Kunju said, Chhaya Kadam’s admission in her interview “is an acceptance of crime under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002”.
Chhaya Kadam has been summoned by the forest department to appear before the deputy conservator of forests (Thane) in order to take her statement and further inquire into the issue. Meanwhile, Kunju further stated, “If public figures like actors start making careless remarks which violate wildlife conservation laws, there can be more illegal poaching and hunting of animals in the jungles. Hence we want strict action on this issue.”