Can Film Shootings Be Permitted In Forest? Kerala High Court Appoints Amicus Curiae

The Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji decided to look into whether it is desirable to grant permission for shooting commercial film in the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves. The Court has asked the State to furnish information on whether it has any policy in this regard.

The appellant Angels Nair, general secretary of an NGO named Animal Legal Force Integration has initially approached the Single Bench raising the allegations that after the shooting of the movie in the forest, there is substantial damage to the flora and fauna. As per the allegation, large areas of forest land were filled with foreign red soil to give it the appearance of a Chhattisgarh dessert forest. There is also allegation that a new road was constructed illegally in the forest. The appellant has also alleged that large quantity of plastics, food wastes, debris, nailed wooden planks, thermocol, plaster of paris, glass bottles, broken glassed and liquor bottles were lying in the forest which was only cleared after he approached the Court.

The Single Judge noted that the movie shooting was done inside the forest after obtaining necessary permissions. The Single Judge observed from the photos produced before it that consequent to the dumping of gravel in the forest area and making the road and area marshier has caused serious damage to the reserve forest and has interfered substantially with the natural environment. The Single Bench had directed the Central Government to do a detailed enquiry in this matter.

Subsequently, a 4-member commission was appointed to look into the matter. The petitioner stated that the there was no major damages in the forest and there was no garbage or residue of the film sets were found.

The appellant has now challenged this report saying it goes against the observation of the Single Judge.

The matter is next posted to 23^rd June

Case Title: Angels Nair v The Principal Secretary and Others

Case No: WA 2179 of 2023