New Delhi: Toxic, starring Kannada star Yash in the lead, has landed in a row even before its release. Karnataka Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday (October 29, 2024) took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share shocking satellite images, showcasing illegal tree-cutting on forestland for filming the upcoming movie.
Khandre has now instructed concerned officials to take strict disciplinary action against those who permitted the cutting of trees on forestland in Bengaluru to set up a shoot for the film. He also conducted a site inspection where Toxic was being filmed.
Khandre, in a note to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, stated that 599 acres of reserve forest in Bengaluru’s Peenya Plantation 1 and Plantation 2 are officially designated as protected. He further revealed that, in the 1960s, this land was unlawfully handed over to HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) without official de-notification.
ಎಚ್.ಎಂ.ಟಿ. ವಶದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಭೂಮಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಟಾಕ್ಸಿಕ್’ ಎಂಬ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರದ ಚಿತ್ರೀಕರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನೂರಾರು ಮರಗಳನ್ನು ಅಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಕಡಿದು ಹಾನಿಗೊಳಿಸಿರುವ ವಿಚಾರ ಗಂಭೀರ ಚಿಂತೆ ಮೂಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಸ್ಯಾಟೆಲೈಟ್ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಿಂದ ಈ ಅಕ್ರಮ ಕೃತ್ಯವು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದ್ದು, ಇಂದು ಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಈ ಅಕ್ರಮ ಕೃತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/yrjHhG9kLA
— Eshwar Khandre (@eshwar_khandre) October 29, 2024
It is to be noted that unauthorised tree felling, particularly on forestland, is a punishable offense. Khandre also shared old and new satellite images of the site obtained from the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre. Also, he mentioned that HMT has been renting out the forestland under its possession for film shoots and open land for daily rental.
Yash in Toxic
Toxic, announced in December 2023, is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas. If social media reports are accurate, actress Tara Sutaria plays the second female lead in the film, reportedly appearing as Yash’s love interest. However, there is no official confirmation about the same so far. Further details about Toxic are still not out.
