Video of activities near Sholayar reservoir in Keralam triggers forest access concerns

A social media video showing people engaging in activities near the Sholayar dam reservoir and Swapnamudi forest outpost has triggered concerns over access to forest areas, prompting environmentalists to seek an investigation. The Forest department, however, has said those seen in the video were police personnel, while acknowledging that the use of private vehicles had created confusion.

“The confusion was created because they were using a private vehicle. The video should have been avoided, and the Forest department should be careful to prevent such activities,” said Vazhachal Divisional Forest Officer B.R. Anuraj.

Inquiry sought

The Animals and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust lodged a complaint with the forest authorities seeking an impartial, time-bound inquiry into the activities purportedly shown in the video, including the use of private vehicles, fishing, cooking and swimming near the forest outpost and the adjoining reservoir.

The trust has sought the registration of an occurrence report (OR) and appropriate legal action if any violations are established. It has urged the authorities to verify whether the entry into the reserved forest and the reported activities were authorised under applicable laws, departmental orders and safety restrictions.

“The allegations must be investigated objectively, and legal action should follow the evidence and applicable statutory provisions,” the trust said in its complaint.

The organisation has also called for the preservation of the video, screenshots, photographs, vehicle registration details and relevant departmental records to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The complaint has further highlighted the proximity of the area to Adichil Thotty Tribal Colony, seeking an assessment of whether the reported activities affected tribal access, customary rights, privacy, safety or community resources, the trust noted.