Actor Rishabh Shetty in a scene from the film Kantara, Photo Credit: File Photo
Action will be initiated against the film crew of Kantara: Chapter 1 Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre on Monday said that if it is found that he has violated the conditions of shooting a film in the forests.
The film is being shot in Gavi Betta of Heruru village and surrounding areas of Yesalur range in Sakleshpur in Hassan district. “If the crew is found violating the conditions, we will stop the shooting and initiate action,” he told reporters here.
According to the minister, the film’s producer Hombale Films had sought permission for 23 days of shooting in Gomla land on the edge of a part of the forests in Gavi Betta and surrounding areas and had sought permission from the Hassan Deputy Conservator of Forests. Had given conditional approval.
“However, media reports state that the film crew has been using firecrackers which is disturbing the wildlife in the area. I have asked officials to go to the spot and submit a report. I have also directed officials to stop the film production if the conditions are violated,” Mr. Khandre said.
Regarding action against producers of Yash-starrer toxicHe said that Canara Bank, which had purchased the land from HMT, has given this area on lease and an FIR has been lodged against the three. “The court has issued a stay order and we are trying to get the order cancelled.”
Meanwhile, the minister also said that action will be taken against officials who have filed an interim application before the Supreme Court without Cabinet approval. The authorities allowed the application to be filed in the SC in 2020 on the pretext that 443 acres of forest in the HMT had lost forest character. “We have already asked for the withdrawal of the IA and the cabinet has also approved it. HMT has sold 160 acres of land for ₹330 crore, but in its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, has claimed the value of the land to be around ₹14,300 crore. We will not allow real estate business in this area and we want to build a bigger place.
Arjun Memorial will be inaugurated in February
A memorial is being built for Dussehra elephant Arjun, who died during an elephant trapping operation on December 4, 2023, which will be inaugurated in the first week of February.
“The inauguration of the memorial was delayed due to technical reasons, although we wanted it to be inaugurated before the first anniversary. We are now ensuring that there is no inconvenience to the tourists coming here,” said Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre.
Similarly, another memorial has been built at the Bale elephant camp in the Nagarhole forest, where Arjun stayed after being caught in a Kheda operation in the Kakanakote forests during 1968.
published – January 20, 2025 09:49 PM IST
