world π» Fined for startling polar bear near North Pole π»
A ship operator received a fine of 50,000 Norwegian kroner, equivalent to Rs 4.5 lakh, for disturbing a polar bear. This incident happened near the North Pole while passing a sea inlet off the coast of Svalbard. The deliberate sounding of the ship's horn startled the bear, causing it to wake up and leave the shore. Lars Fause, the Governor of Svalbard, took legal action against the operator for this violation. The Svalbard Environmental Protection Act strictly prohibits needlessly disturbing or attracting polar bears.