Gandhinagar: A disturbing video showing several deer consuming plastic waste in Junagadh city, near Girnar hill, has triggered widespread outrage on social media and raised serious concerns about wildlife safety in the region. The clip, which went viral on X, showed spotted deer rummaging through a heap of garbage inside city limits, prompting immediate reactions from citizens, wildlife enthusiasts and public representatives.

The video was first posted by social media user Mukesh Khunt, who wrote that the visuals were distressing for nature lovers and pointed out that despite the High Court’s order banning plastic in the Girnar area, such situations continued to occur. His post reignited debate over waste management and the dangers posed to wildlife by plastic pollution.

Heartbreaking and concerning visuals from outskirts of Gir. Spotted deers were seen eating plastic trash, which pose a severe threat not just to them, but to the Asiatic Lions that prey on them. The toxic cycle is entering the food chain. Tourists need to be highly responsible… pic.twitter.com/ZtdEC4aYkZ

— Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) November 29, 2025

Rajya Sabha member and wildlife conservation advocate Parimal Nathwani also expressed deep concern, calling the visuals “heartbreaking and concerning.” He warned that plastic ingestion by deer posed a severe threat to the entire food chain, including the Asiatic lions that prey on them. Nathwani urged tourists to act responsibly and stop dumping waste in and around sanctuaries, while also calling for stricter enforcement to keep the Gir region plastic-free. “We need to own the responsibility to save the wildlife,” he said.

આ એક ખાનગી માલિકીનો પ્લોટ હતો. વિગતો ધ્યાને આવતા જ જૂનાગઢ મહાનગર પાલિકા દ્વારા આખા પ્લોટની સફાઈ કરાવવામાં આવી છે.

આ ગંભીર બેદરકારી માટે પ્લોટ માલિક પાસેથી દંડ પણ વસુલવામાં આવશે અને ભવિષ્યમાં કોઈ આવી બેદરકારી ન દાખવે તેની તકેદારી રાખવામાં આવશે. https://t.co/Z0nmwH51jL pic.twitter.com/kqpKs7KqkS

— Arjun Modhwadia (@arjunmodhwadia) November 29, 2025

Amid the growing uproar, Gujarat’s Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia responded with a clarification. He stated that the garbage-filled plot seen in the video was privately owned and that once the matter came to light, the Junagadh Municipal Corporation immediately cleaned the area. Modhwadia added that a fine would be imposed on the plot owner for negligence and that increased vigilance would be ensured to prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for better waste management, stricter enforcement of plastic regulations and sustained public awareness to protect the fragile ecosystem surrounding Gir and Girnar.