Mumbai Officials Warn Influencers Swimming in Crocodile-Inhabited Vihar Lake for Reels

Forest Department officials in Mumbai have reported a sharp rise in visitors and social media influencers illegally entering restricted areas of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) to shoot videos and reels. According to reports on July 11, 2026, several individuals have even been spotted swimming in the crocodile-inhabited waters of Vihar Lake.

The search for social media engagement has turned into what authorities describe as a conservation nightmare at Vihar Lake. Forest officials warned that influencers filming inside the lake are risking crocodile attacks, drowning, and jail time, all for the sake of gaining a few thousand views online.

The influx of trespassers has become particularly prominent during the monsoon season, a time when visitors frequently gather near the overflowing Vihar Lake. Officials noted that a surge in social media content has directly led to more people illegally entering these restricted zones.

Recent viral footage has highlighted the scale of the problem. A screenshot from a viral Instagram reel showed large crowds gathering near Vihar Lake, raising significant concerns among authorities over the increasing trespass into these protected areas. In another viral reel, a person was clearly seen swimming in Vihar Lake, despite the area being strictly off-limits and known to be home to crocodiles.

In response to these activities, the Forest Department has warned of strict legal consequences for anyone caught trespassing. Entering these restricted areas of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is illegal and carries the risk of jail time.

Officials are urging the public to stay out of the restricted zones, emphasizing that the dangers of drowning and crocodile attacks are very real. Authorities hope that highlighting these risks and the potential for legal action will deter visitors from entering the protected waters for social media videos.