Mysore: The Karnataka state forest department has registered a case under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 against Sandalwood actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, his wife Vijaya Lakshmi and farmhouse manager Nagaraj for illegally rearing migratory birds like bar-headed geese in their farmhouse at Kempaiyanahundi village on T Narseepura Road, Mysore.
On Friday night, the Forest Mobile Squad raided the farmhouse and seized four bar-headed geese falling under Schedule 2 of WPA, which were illegally kept in the premises. The forest officials will release the birds in Lake near Mysore after obtaining the permission of the court.
DCF Bhaskar said that black swan, ostrich, emu and other species of birds were found in the farm during the raid and the manager has been instructed to provide necessary documents to have these birds. These birds can be domesticated. However, the owner must take permission from the forest department.
Wildlife activist Joseph Hoover said that the forest officials came to know about the bar-headed geese through a video interview conducted at Darshan’s farm. Darshan tells visitors that the bar-headed geese seen during filming at the farm are from Mongolia.
This video went viral and the forest department personnel from Mysore raided the farm on Friday evening. Darshan is a true wildlife enthusiast. He loves animals and birds. He is an ambassador for wildlife conservation. Recently, he was nominated to the State Board of Wildlife. Obviously, he said, Darshan was not aware that bar-head geese were listed in Schedule 2 of the WPA.
