Man flies drone inside tiger reserve; probe ordered

A man allegedly violated forest regulations by flying a drone inside the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, prompting the forest department to order an investigation, officials said on Sunday.

Deputy director of the reserve, Manish Singh, said a video of the incident is being examined.

"Flying drones in protected forest areas is strictly prohibited, as it poses a threat to wildlife and disturbs their natural activities. Strict action will be taken against the offender," Singh said.

According to forest officials, the accused has been identified as Arbaaz Ansari, who runs an Instagram page named ‘Pilibhit Zone'.

Ansari allegedly flew a drone without permission in the Mala zone of the reserve, a core forest area, recording visuals after stopping by a roadside stretch and later uploading them on social media.

The Mala range is considered highly sensitive, with past incidents of poaching and illegal wildlife activity reported from the area.