Tamil Nadu Minister faces criticism after video shows him chasing a tiger in Mudumalai

Tamil Nadu Minister Vanni Arasu is facing severe criticism after a video surfaced on social media showing him chasing a tiger in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. The footage also captures the Minister getting close to a wild elephant during a separate incident reportedly in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Wildlife experts have demanded that authorities file a case against him under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 for disturbing animals.

Official Defense

A senior forest official who accompanied the Minister defended the actions by stating that the encounter did not happen inside a reserve forest. According to this official, the tiger was spotted on private land belonging to an Achakarai resort where the Minister was staying. The official added that forest personnel were present only to protect the Minister and that he never stepped down from any safari vehicle during the filming.

Public Backlash

Conservation groups rejected this explanation, pointing out that private resort owners are also discouraged from letting people walk around or approach wild animals on their properties. Critics argue that rules must apply equally to everyone and have called for departmental action against the accompanying forest staff for failing to stop the Minister from breaking standard wildlife safety norms.

Context

Forest reserves and surrounding wildlife corridors maintain strict regulations to keep both humans and endangered animals safe from harm. Public officials are generally expected to lead by example when it comes to following environmental laws and protecting natural habitats.