Jaipur: Filming documentaries on the life of big cats at the Ranthambore National Park (RNP) is experiencing unusual challenges and resistance.
Internationally acclaimed wildlife documentary makers shooting in the state are in a fix as the forest department is considering cancelling permission to them to shoot documentaries.
The documentary makers claimed that protocol was duly followed before entering the forest and an RT-PCR test was being conducted every 72 hours.
Moreover, it will be a big dent on their research, which will be displayed internationally, if the state government abruptly terminates their permission succumbing to the pressure of green activists.
“Issuing permission for shooting a documentary in Ranthambore was a positive step taken by the government. Complete Covid protocol was followed by the crew, including social distancing. These documentaries are informative for children and nature lovers as they can explore wildlife world virtually,” said a member assisting a crew in Rajasthan
As per the sources, chief wildlife warden has written a letter to withdraw the permission. “Years of hard work will go down the drain if permission is withdrawn for no reason. There is no certainty when the infection spread will come to an end and the project will be stalled,” added the member
Many forest officials, too, believe that documentation of wildlife behaviour is integral conservation process and would promote Ranthambore once the pandemic is over.
A senior official who wished not to be quoted said, “The documentary is being shot for an International firm and wildlife filmmakers have commitments. It will give a bad repute to state forest department if permission is withdrawn after issuing and more delay is caused.”
Green activists had earlier alleged that the tiger reserve is closed for tourists and administration is making all efforts to minimise human-animal interaction in the forest to cut the risk of transmission of Covid from humans to wild animals. But nothing much can be done to restrict filmmakers as permission has been provided by higher authorities.
An official at Ranthambore said, “The filmmakers are monitored and appropriate distance is maintained. A staff member accompanies these filmmakers to keep a check they do not venture close to the animal. Moreover, shooting documentary is not leisure activity tourism. They are considered as wildlife journalists.”
