Vihar Lake reels spark concern as visitors enter Mumbai's crocodile-inhabited waters

Updated On: 11 July, 2026 07:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav

Forest officials are reporting a steep rise in people illegally entering restricted areas of SGNP — and in some cases, Vihar Lake itself — to shoot videos. Warn that influencers filming inside lake are risking crocodiles, drowning, and jail for a few thousand views. Ranjeet Jadhav reports

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Visitors gather near the overflowing Vihar Lake during the monsoon. Forest officials say the surge in social media content has led to more people entering restricted areas. File pic/Satej Shinde

The hunt for the perfect Instagram reel is turning into a conservation nightmare at Vihar Lake, with Forest Department officials reporting a sharp rise in people illegally entering restricted areas — and in some cases the lake itself — to shoot videos.

A screenshot from a viral Instagram reel shows crowds gathering near Vihar Lake, raising concerns over increasing trespass into protected areas; (right) A person is seen swimming in Vihar Lake in a viral reel despite the area being off-limits and home to crocodiles