‘Film City’ project proposal in the Nilgiris draws flak from conservationists

The plans mooted by the Nilgiris MP A. Raja to construct a ‘Film City’ in the district have been criticised by conservationists and citizens’ groups, who fear additional pressures from major infrastru

The plans mooted by the Nilgiris MP A. Raja to construct a ‘Film City’ in the district have been criticised by conservationists and citizens’ groups, who fear additional pressures from major infrastructure projects will put a huge strain on the district’s fragile and threatened ecology.

Mr. Raja has stated that “Udhagamandalam is an ideal place for developing a film city where many films can be shot indoors and outdoors. A vast tract of land is available and the State government would be helpful in identifying the land,” he said in the Lok Sabha recently. The MP also said that the district was popular for outdoor film shooting and named some famous movies that were shot in different locations across the district.

However, a local conservationist, who requested anonymity, wondered where the large tract of land mentioned by the MP was available. “Concretisation is a huge problem in the district and most of the government lands which have not been built up are under the protection of the Forest Department,” he said.