A morning walker at KBR Park in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, was arrested by the Wild Life Management of the Department of Forests, on Friday morning, for breaking a twig from a neem tree.
He was charged with 'causing damage to the environment', fined Rs 10,000 and then let off.
Mr. M. Raja Ramana Reddy, DFO, said Mr. Vinod Tikmani of Banjara Hills was fined for causing damage to the environment.
"Plucking any tree leaf and causing damage to the environment is liable to punishment. We have been creating awareness not to harm or damage the environment. The person might have wanted to brush his teeth with a neem twig," Reddy said.
"Anyone who causes any damage is liable to be booked under Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act," he added.
Mr. Tikmani could not be reached for his comment.