Thakurmunda, August 19: A YouTuber has been arrested after a video showing him cutting and cooking the meat of a monitor lizard- a protected and endangered species-went viral on social media.
The accused, Rupa Nayak of Asanabani village under the Champajhar section of the Thakurmunda forest range, reportedly discovered the dead reptile by the roadside near Banta while returning from his in-laws’ house in Bhadrak. He took the monitor lizard home, butchered and cooked it, filming the entire process.
Nayak later uploaded the video on Facebook, where it quickly garnered widespread attention. On August 18, following televised news coverage, the Forest Department launched an investigation and registered a case suo motu.
During questioning, Nayak confessed to the act. The Forest Department subsequently arrested him under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, including Sections 2(16)(a)(b), 9, 39(1)(b), 48(a)(b), 50(1), and E(c). The case has been registered as Case No. 68 under the Thakurmunda forest range.
