Kerala has launched an inquiry after officials from Tamil Nadu allegedly flew a drone without prior permission over the Mullaperiyar canal and surrounding areas of the Periyar forest, raising questions over filming restrictions in the ecologically sensitive region.
The incident reportedly took place after Tamil Nadu began drawing water from the Mullaperiyar reservoir for agricultural purposes on Saturday. Officials who attended the ceremony are alleged to have used a drone to capture aerial footage of the canal, the surrounding forest and the shutter through which water is diverted towards Tamil Nadu.
The matter has now come under the scrutiny of the Kerala Forest Department, as the location falls within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, where the use of drones and other camera equipment for filming is regulated.
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Under the restrictions applicable to the area, prior permission from the Kerala Forest Department is required for drone operations and filming within the protected forest region. There are also restrictions on filming in areas associated with the Mullaperiyar dam without permission from the police and Forest Department.
Kerala authorities reportedly became aware of the drone activity after footage from the event was later shared on the social media account of Periyakulam MLA G Sabari Ayyankar.
Thekkady Range Officer Francis M Yohannan said a detailed report on the incident would be submitted within two days, following directions from the Deputy Director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
He also indicated that, as the matter involves officials from two states, any further action would likely be taken only after the relevant legal aspects have been examined.
Tamil Nadu officials, however, have reportedly offered an explanation for the drone use. According to reports, they said the drone was deployed as part of security arrangements for people attending the event, including Theni MP Thanga Tamilselvan.
The latest incident has also brought back memories of a similar controversy in 2019, when drone footage of the Mullaperiyar canal and surrounding forest area was recorded.
Following that incident, Kerala imposed stricter restrictions on drone operations and filming in the area, particularly because of the ecological sensitivity of the Periyar Tiger Reserve and the security concerns surrounding the Mullaperiyar dam.
The latest episode is therefore likely to be examined not only in terms of whether the required permissions were obtained, but also in the context of the existing regulations governing aerial filming and security-sensitive areas around Mullaperiyar.
With the Forest Department preparing its report, the incident could add another layer to the longstanding sensitivities surrounding the Mullaperiyar dam and water-sharing arrangements between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
