Image Source: financialexpress.com Forest authorities arrested a YouTuber on Sunday for allegedly posting a video titled “Peacock Curry Recipe” on his channel, Sri TV, on Saturday in Rajanna Sircilla district, Telangana.
According to PTI, the arrest followed an investigation by forest officials. The YouTuber, Kodam Pranaykumar, reportedly created the video to attract more views for his channel. The officials acted on a tip-off that the video demonstrated how to cook peacock curry. They visited Pranaykumar’s home in Tangallapalli village, inspected the cooking area, and reviewed the video.
Pranaykumar claimed that he had actually prepared chicken curry and misled viewers by titling the video “Traditional Peacock Curry” to boost engagement.
The Forest Department has sent both Pranaykumar’s blood samples and curry samples for testing. If the tests confirm the presence of peacock meat, severe penalties will be imposed.
Rajanna Sircilla SP Akhil Mahajan announced on social media platform X that a case has been filed under relevant sections, and strict action will be taken against Pranaykumar and others involved in such activities.
The video triggered outrage among wildlife conservationists and viewers. Following protests from animal rights activists, the video has been removed from the YouTube channel.
In India, peacocks are protected under the Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2022, as a Schedule I species, which affords them the highest level of legal protection. Promoting the killing of protected wildlife, including peacocks, is subject to severe legal consequences.
