Commercial film shoots in national parks: Kerala HC seeks state govt's views
Kochi: High court has asked the state govt to clarify whether commercial film shoots should be permitted in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves. The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji further enquired whether the state govt has any policy on the issue beyond prescribing shooting fees.
The court was hearing an appeal by Angels Nair, general secretary of NGO Animal Legal Force Integration, Ernakulam. Nair's appeal raised concerns regarding the 2018 shoot of the Malayalam film Unda, including soil dumping in a reserved forest in Kasaragod.
Responding to the petition, the forest and wildlife department's under secretary filed a counter-affidavit enclosing a GO that revises entry fees and security deposits for filming in protected areas.
The order sets separate fee schedules for commercial, documentary and educational films.
After examining the documents, the court questioned whether commercial shoots should be allowed at all in such areas. At the special govt pleader's request, the matter was adjourned to Jun 23 for instructions, and Manu Vyasan Peter was appointed amicus curiae.
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