Guwahati: Found not adhering to clauses provided in clearance/ no-objection given by Indian authorities to shoot a film on wildlife conservation at Kaziranga Park in India, the BBC News South-East Asia stands to be banished from tiger conservation sites in India.
Indian authorities are all set to revoke with immediate effect the permission given to the BBC News South-Asia Bureau and its producer Justin Rowlatt for filming in all tiger reserves in India unless they fail to give a satisfactory reply to the show-cause notice slapped on them for violating the clauses of no-object and clearance given to them by the authorities while making the documentary film titled Our World (Killing for conservation).
The BBC News South-Asia Bureau and its producer Justin Rowlatt were given permission by the NTCA on the basis of the concept noted submitted by them to film the “Task Force” in Kaziranga National Park while they undertake night patrol to protect tigers and rhinos in Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
However, on perusal of the final footage of the documentary which was aired on BBC World Television and which is now available on online portals such as www.youtube.com, the Indian authorities have detected `total breach of trust by the producer and the BBC in various counts including not working constructively with Government of India which has resulted in portraying conservation efforts in India in extremely negative light.
The India authorities have taken serious note that the immunity provided to forest officials under Section 197 of the Cr PC has been construed in the film as `shoot to kill’ policy. The Indian authorities are set to black list the producer while the BBC would be warned against not adhering to clauses provided in clauses/approvals of the Government of India.
The Indian authorities have observed with concern that the documentary made has deviated from the original synopsis/programme submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs and held the BBC guilty of giving false synopsis with the surreptitious malintent of obtaining permission from relevant authorities.
The original synopsis submitted by the BBC mentions: “ Story on challenges and expertise of India’s conservation drive. We would like to report on and feature what we consider the most exciting aspect of conservation in India – the elite rangers of Kaziranga as they go on night patrol and show our viewers the efforts being taken to protect wildlife in India.”
