Bengaluru/IBNS: Actor Yash starrer Kannada film Toxic has landed in a controversy after Karnataka Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre alleged that hundreds of trees were cut down on a forestland for the shooting, media reports said.

The minister has accused Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), which is in charge of the forestland, of illegally cutting down the trees. 

Khandre levelled the charges after he visited the site on Tuesday and analysed the satellite images.

He posted on X with pictures, "H.M.T. The fact that hundreds of trees were illegally cut down and damaged for the shooting of the film 'Toxic' in the forest land under its control has raised serious concerns. This illegal act is clearly visible from the satellite images, I visited the place today and inspected it.

"I have instructed to take immediate strict legal action against those responsible for this illegal act. Protection of our forest and environment is a major responsibility of all of us. If illegal activities are found in forest land, I am committed to take strict action against them."

The minister has directed forest officials to take immediate action against the accused.

The controversy follows Khadre's indication that the state government intends to reclaim the HMT land, which, as reports claim, was allegedly illegally transferred to the Centre-run manufacturing company decades ago.

Khandre has also accused the HMT of selling forestland to multiple entities and individuals making way for non-forestry activities.