A song-and-dance scare in the wild

POLLACHI: A large film set put up in the Aliyar Dam at Zero Point is posing a threat to wild animals that frequent the place to drink water. The set has been put up for a song sequence in the Telugu film Racha, in which actors Ram Charan Teja and Tamanna play the lead roles. The shooting has been scheduled to be held on March 29 and 30.Zero Point, 25 km from Pollachi, is a haunt for many wild animals including tigers, elephants, leopards, dholes, gaurs, sambar and spotted deer. The 80-foot house-like set erected in the water seems to be scaring away the animals. “This is the only water source for them now, as other sources dry up with the onset of summer,” said Forest Ranger Ganesh Ram.Moreover, sawdust and colours used for creating the set have polluted the water. “This may consume the life of animals if they drink the water. Fish will also die in large numbers,” said Arumugam, a researcher at the Anamalai Reserve and added that plastic cups and plates now litter the unspoilt, sylvan area.Though Zero Point is a ‘prohibited area’, film producers have obtained necessary permission from officials concerned in Chennai, said a senior Public Works Department official.