Authorities have taken action against a YouTuber for illegally camping in the prohibited core area of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). The individual set up camp along water bodies within the protected regions of the reserve, violating established regulations intended to safeguard wildlife and their habitats.
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Following information intercepted by forest officials indicating that Rajbhar fled across the porous border into Nepal, DFO Singh said the department is coordinating with Nepalese counterparts and police to secure his immediate arrest. The YouTuber, Sumit Rajbhar—a resident of Bundibhoor village near the Indo-Nepal border under Kalinagar tehsil—filmed his unauthorised stays and shared the videos on Instagram and Facebook under the account name “Travel with Sumit. Download the TOI App.
Uploaded on Monday, the footage showed Rajbhar cooking non-vegetarian food on firewood at three distinct locations inside the protected forest while camping near his tent, indicating a multi-day stay in restricted areas.
Despite the prominence of the camping spots, local forest field staff remained completely unaware of the violation. Taking serious note of the matter, district magistrate Gyanendra Singh directed divisional forest officer (DFO) Manish Singh to submit a detailed report and clarification within three days. DM Singh warned that an unsatisfactory report would lead to the matter being referred to the state govt for stern action regarding flawed surveillance and accountable officials.
A departmental case has been lodged against Rajbhar under sections 26, 30, 31, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, alongside other relevant sections.