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By Shyam Balasubramanian
CHENNAI, India — An outdoor film shoot on the Bay of Bengal coast at VGP Golden Beach has turned into a wildlife conservation issue with the Fisheries Department deciding to issue a directive to all fishing villages in and around Chennai to not let film crew on the beach front at night.
The powerful klieg lights used by the film unit to floodlight the beach are a turn off for endangered Olive Ridley turtles that come to nest on the coast at night, say environmentalists.
Turtle nesting season is on at present, and there are quite a few nesting spots on the stretch where the shoot is on for the film — tentatively titled Nagaram, directed by Sasi Kumar of Subramaniapuram fame.
“If we had known about the nesting season we would have taken steps to ensure the nesting is not disrupted in any way,” the film’s producer, Ashok told Express. “We were told of the importance of the nesting site only after we began shooting. We are making our best efforts not to use lights that are too bright”, he added.
E Kathavarayan, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department for the Kancheepuram District said an advisory against nighttime film shoots on the beach would come into effect during the nesting season.
“We will also coordinate with the Forest Department and the Police to tightly regulate lighting on the beach.
Daytime film shoots will not be affected,” he told Express.
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