01-05-2025
Chhaya Kadam Faces Legal Heat As PAWS Mumbai Accuses Her Of Consuming Wildlife Meat
PAWS has asked Thane forest officials to investigate actress Chhaya Kadam after she claimed in an interview to have eaten meat from protected wild animals.
A Mumbai-based group, Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), has written to forest officials in Thane after an interview with actress Chhaya Kadam went viral. In the interview, she reportedly said she had eaten meat from protected wild animals. PAWS has asked the forest department to look into the matter and take legal action against her and anyone else involved in hunting or eating wild animals.
Roshan Rathod, Divisional Forest Officer (Vigilance), stated, 'We have received the complaint. It has been forwarded by the Chief Conservator of Forests to the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for inquiry. The actress will be called in for investigation soon."
In the complaint, PAWS stated, 'Our team came across an interview of actress Chhaya Kadam where she claimed to have eaten meat of protected wildlife species such as mouse deer, rabbits, wild boar, monitor lizard, and porcupine in a radio interview posted on YouTube. This sends a wrong message to the public and constitutes an offence under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. We also request that relevant sections of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 be applied. The interview should be considered as an admission of guilt. We urge you to investigate and take legal action against her and others involved in this criminal activity of wildlife poaching for meat."
Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Honorary Wildlife Warden and founder of OIPA, AMMA Care Foundation, and PAWS-Mumbai, who sent the letter, said, 'It is shocking to see a public figure openly admit to consuming meat from protected wildlife species. On one hand, we are working hard to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, and on the other hand, some individuals are openly breaking the law. The forest department must investigate where she obtained this meat and take legal action against all those involved in the poaching."
Chhaya Kadam is yet to react to the controversy.
First Published:
April 30, 2025, 14:36 IST
