Gandhinagar, Aug. 19 -- Gujarat's Forest Department, committed to protecting Asiatic lions and forest resources, has taken strict action against illegal activities and violations of the Wildlife Protection Act.

On the instructions of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, the Gir East Forest Division registered 75 offences and recovered fines of over Rs. 13.30 lakh in the last four months, according to a press release on Wednesday.

In addition, the Forest Department has registered 38 offences against those entering the sanctuary area without authorisation and taken action as per the rules, imposing fines of approximately Rs. 7,76,400/-. This includes 8 offences related to the hunting of wild animals. Of these, court proceeding...