Social media users often enter forest late at night to shoot reels, disturbing residents. Officials caution that abandoned structures may house wildlife, making entry risky
The defunct Teaching Dairy, also known as the Dairy Science Institute, at Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon East. PIC/Ranjeet Jadhav
With New Year’s Eve celebrations around the corner, authorities have warned the public against entering Aarey Milk Colony’s forest area on the night of December 31.
Continuous patrolling will be in place, and strict action will be taken against trespassers or those causing a nuisance.
In recent months, social media influencers and content creators have been spotted roaming Aarey late at night, disturbing residents. Range Forest Officer (RFO) Pradeep Chavan, Tulsi Range, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), said, “Our teams conduct daily vehicle and foot patrols inside the Aarey forest. On New Year’s Eve, continuous patrolling will be carried out throughout the night, and strict action will be taken against anyone found partying or trespassing inside the forest.”
Weekends often see social media users visiting Aarey Milk Colony at night to shoot videos for various platforms.
Mid-day has previously reported instances of reel-makers venturing deep into the forest and illegally entering abandoned government structures.
Read more: Youths trespass Aarey dairy for clout, risk wildlife encounter
Screengrab of the Instagram reel posted by the trespassers in September
Nature lover Satish Lot said, “Over the past few months, several youngsters have been visiting Aarey late at night to shoot social media reels, leading to nuisance in the area. Many of them illegally enter closed government structures and venture into the forest.”
Read more: Crackdown begins after repeated trespass at Aarey Dairy Institute
In September, mid-day highlighted a case where a group of youngsters, driven by the desire for social media clout, illegally entered Aarey Milk Colony’s defunct Teaching Dairy, also known as the Dairy Science Institute, in the dead of night. They filmed themselves rummaging through documents and vintage photos. Such acts are not only unlawful but also dangerous, as many abandoned structures in Aarey are home to leopards and snakes.
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