Yash Starrer Toxic Shoot Lands In Controversy Over Illegal Felling Of Trees For Set Construction

Toxic Controversy: Yash starrer Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas, has been filming at a brisk pace. However, makers have found mselves at center of a controversy over illegal felling of trees during filming. movie is reportedly co-starring Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria and Kiara vani alongside KGF star.

Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday directed officials concerned to take disciplinary action against those who permitted felling of trees in a forest land in Bengaluru, where a set was erected for shooting of Kanna movie Toxic. He also conducted a spot inspection of site where shooting was held.

Forest official inspects Yash starrer Toxic shoot location

In a note to ditional Chief Secretary of Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, he said a total of 599 acres of reserve forest in Bengaluru's Peenya plantation 1 and plantation 2 is gazetted, which was illegally handed over to HMT in 1960s without de-notification. He also quoted Supreme Court as saying "once a forest is always a forest unless de-notified." Minister also noted that land that is in HMT's possession without de-notification is a forest.

"HMT illegally sold forest land in its possession to various government and private organisations and individuals and non-forestry activities take place here. felling of trees in this forest area is visible from satellite image," he said. Khandre said that it has come to his notice that HMT is also renting out forest land in its possession for film shootings and vacant land on a daily rent basis.

Disciplinary action sought against official who granted permission for Toxic shoot  

Noting that unauthorised felling of trees, especially in forest land is a punishable offence, Minister citing old and new satellite images of site obtained from Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre, sought to know how many tress have been cut and was permission obtained for this as per rules.

He has directed officials to take strict disciplinary action against officer who gave permission for cutting trees. "If permission has been granted, disciplinary action should be taken against officer who gave permission to cut trees in forest land and forest offences case should be registered against all those responsible for cutting trees," letter ded.

(With PTI inputs)