Haldwani, Aug. 30 -- Tourists who chase tigers and other big cats in and around Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) to capture videos for social media will face action under the Wildlife Protection Act, forest officials said. The CTR administration has stepped up surveillance against tourists who follow tiger movements, drive vehicles behind the animals or attempt to get close to them while recording videos and making "Reels" for views and likes. The Special Operations Group (SOG) has been tasked with identifying such offenders and helping forest officials initiate legal action. According to CTR park warden Bindar Pal Singh, several tourists visiting Corbett and forests surrounding the reserve use phones to record tigers and other wildlife and upload the footage on social media. "The practice of chasing or tracking tigers for social media content is dangerous for both wildlife and people. Instructions have been issued to patrolling teams and the SOG to keep a close watch on such activities," he said. The problem has been reported from areas around Mohaan, Sundarkhal, Garjiya and Dhikuli, where tourists and other people have allegedly been tracking tiger movements. Tigers moving along the Kosi River and near highways have also been targeted by people trying to film them from close range, officials said. In some cases, people have reportedly flashed vehicle headlights at tigers while they were moving along roads or near the river. Others have attempted to record close-up photographs and videos, including footage of the animals' paws. "Such behaviour can disturb and provoke tigers, increasing the risk of an aggressive response. There have been instances in the past when tigers reacted aggressively after being surrounded or pursued, with videos of such incidents later being widely circulated on social media," Singh added. "The CTR administration has now decided to intensify monitoring at locations considered vulnerable to such activities. Additional patrolling personnel have been deployed, while SOG and forest department teams are also monitoring social media platforms to identify videos that may help establish the identity of offenders." SOG personnel would operate in plainclothes in sensitive areas to identify people involved in chasing or tracking wildlife. Once offenders are identified, the department will initiate proceedings under applicable provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Depending on the nature of offence, notices may be issued and fines or other legal action may follow. Tourists should maintain distance from wild animals and avoid activity that disturbs their natural movement....