The news that superstar Rajinikanth is all set to be featured in an upcoming edition of ace adventurer Bear Grylls' 'Man vs Wild' show may have got the fans of the star excited. The shooting of the episode has begun in in Karnataka's Bandipur forest, noted for its tiger reserve and biodiversity.
However, not everyone is happy.
According to media reports, some wildlife activists have expressed concern over the timing of the episode. Joseph Hoover, conservationist and former member of the Karnataka Wildlife Board, told The Indian Express that this is the time that the forest department is working towards burning fire lines ahead of summer when there are forest fires. He said when the shooting of the episode takes place in Bandipur, the forest department would be more focused on providing security to the VIPs.
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“They could have filmed in the monsoons as fires can start and spread very quickly during the summer months" Live Mint quoted Hoover as saying.
According to activists, 8,000 hectares of forest cover was destroyed due to forest fires from 2013. The forest fire in February 2019 alone had destroyed around 4,800 hectares of forests.
Another activist told The Indian Express that forest department officials are dong their best to avoid untoward incidents. "Intrusions similar to such activities like the two-day shoot now is highly not called for," the activist was quoted as saying.
However, a top forest department official reportedly clarified that only five people from the special tiger force was part of the shooting.
