Bengaluru: “Those in possession of wildlife artefacts should handover the same to the Government within two months,” said Forest  Minister Eshwar Khandre.

“Till Bigg Boss contestant Varthur Santosh was arrested for wearing tiger claw pendant, people did not know about the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Now people are aware of the Act and hence two-month time has been given to handover wildlife artefacts to the Government,” Khandre said.

“When the Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, opportunity was given to keep wildlife artefacts as per the law. But the Act was amended in 2003 and 2022 and as per the 2022 Amended Act, it is a crime to keep, use, collect and transport wildlife artefacts,” Forest Minister Khandre said.