VIJAYAWADA: Foresters of Andhra Pradesh have objected to movie “Pushpa: The Rise” portraying illegal smuggling of red sanders in a heroic way, as it may mislead especially young minds.
They point out that smuggling of forest produce – be it sandalwood, red sanders or any other product, is an illegal activity. Portraying such an illegal activity in a heroic way purely to make money may corrupt the minds of youngsters. They may take to smuggling forest produce, seeing the act resulting in great success.
Foresters point out that notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan destroyed sandalwood trees in forests of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He smuggled the wood and made huge money until he was killed. Subsequently, villagers from parts of Katpadi, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore in Tamil Nadu have started smuggling red sanders from Seshachalam forests in AP.
The forest officials point to several forest personnel losing their lives in attacks by smugglers while protecting forests. Under the circumstances, they wonder how such illegal act of smuggling can be portrayed in a heroic way in a film just to make money.
Tirupati-based Central Red Sanders Depot divisional forest officer K. Ashok Kumar said, “I overheard some local youngsters talking about film Pushpa depicting smuggling of red sanders in a heroic way. I am afraid the film is sending a wrong message to youth.”
Smuggling of red sanders leads to imprisonment up to seven years and confiscation of all illegal property.
