Kerala Wildlife Reserve Denies Film Shooting Permission, Cites Legal Restrictions

The Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has informed the Kerala High Court that it cannot grant permission for commercial film shoots within its premises, citing legal prohibitions on such activities in protected wildlife areas. The reserve's deputy director submitted that existing judicial orders and government regulations explicitly restrict the filming of commercial movies and television serials within wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves.

The statement was made in response to a petition related to a film project that sought to utilize the reserve's premises. The wildlife authority emphasized that such restrictions are in place to protect the ecological integrity and animal welfare within these sensitive habitats.

Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of South India's prominent wildlife sanctuaries located in Kerala's Idukki district, is home to diverse flora and fauna including Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, and numerous bird species. The reserve has consistently maintained that commercial activities, including film production, could potentially disrupt wildlife and compromise conservation objectives.

The matter remains under judicial consideration, with the high court examining the reserve's position on the feasibility and permissibility of granting such permissions in the future. Environmental and wildlife protection advocates have generally supported restrictions on commercial activities in protected areas, arguing that disturbance to natural habitats can have long-term ecological consequences.