Man from AP Fined for Smuggling Tortoise Shells

CHENNAI: A man from Andhra Pradesh was on Thur sday fined `25,000 by  Forest department officials for allegedly smuggling tortoise shells weighing 10 kgs.According to officials, S Imam Shah (44) of Anantapur, used to collect shells from tortoises found in paddy fields. “They are ordinary tortoises found in paddy fields. He is illiterate and someone had advised him that he could make good money if he sells them. These shells are usually used for ornamental and decorative purposes,” said forest range officer S Davidraj.Forest department officials said Shah was apprehended near the Redhills bus stand on Wednesday. The Redhills police found that he was carrying two bags filled with tortoise shells. “Since it was tortoise shells, they called us. After an inquiry I took him to the Wildlife Wa rden,” said Daviraj. An FIR was then filed against Shah, who was later fined `25,000 by the wildlife warden. “He had plans to sell the shells door to door in the city,” he said. The value of the shells was yet to be ascertained. The public can contact the Forest Range office, Velachery at 044-22200335 to alert officials about exotic animals found in their locality.