Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja has landed in trouble after he posed with lions in Gir forest, Junagadh earlier this week and then posted the selfies on social media, which have subsequently gone viral.
The forest department has swung into action and ordered an enquiry into the incident.
Jadeja was accompanied by his wife on the lion safari. During the visit, he and his wife reportedly stopped the vehicle, got down and took a few pictures with lions.
Tourists and locals had recently been advised by forest officials to desist from taking selfies with lions so as to avoid putting their lives in danger.
“Gir National Park and Sanctuary (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 the social media. Even some forest guards are seen with him in photographs. Therefore, we have ordered the GNPS superintendent to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report,” Aniruddh Pratap Singh, chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Junagadh wildlife circle, told The Indian Express.
GNPS superintendent Ram Ratan Nala said that just getting down from the vehicle during a safari is an offence although he was not clear what case will be made out against Jadeja at this point.