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Traveling
Environmental Film Festival
A selection of films on wildlife,
environment, development, and social justice issues
were screened for an audience of students, NGOs and
General community at Srinagar, Bhubaneshwar, Ernakulam
and Wayanad in the three states of Jammu and Kashmir,
Orissa and Kerala in March, 2004. The screenings were
followed by panel discussions which brought in the local
perspectives on the films.
This was as part of the activities
that CEE did in its capacity as one of the
Video Resource Centres (VRC) of the International
Television Trust for the Environment (TVE). The film
festivals were supported through a catalytic grant from
TVE Asia Pacific.
Jammu and Kashmir
The first of the festival was held in Jammu and Kashmir
at Srinagar on 17 and 18 March 2004, in collaboration
with Global Green Peace Kashmir (GGP). Dr. Anwar Alam,
Vice Chancellor, Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural
Sciences & Technology inaugurated the festival.
Over 250 students, youth, teachers and NGOs participated
in the film festival on both the days. Experts answered
queries of participants after the screening of filmsand
related the content of the film screened to local environmental
issues.
Orissa
The film festival at Orissa was held on 19 and 20 March
2004 at Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the State
Forest Department, Government of Orissa, WWF- India
(Orissa State Chapter) and Nature and Conservation Society
of Orissa (NWCSO). Shri S.C. Mohanty, Additional PCCF
and Chief Wildlife Warden inaugurated the festival.
A parallel photo exhibition was also organized at the
venue on behalf of the State Forest Department of Orissa.
The occasion of the film festival
was also seen as an opportunity to observe the World
Forestry Day. Competitions of painting and on the spot
quiz competition were organized on both days, along
with a debate competition on the theme "Environmental
Issues and Consequences: Scenario of the State".
The debate was followed by a panel discussion on the
same topic.
Kerala
The traveling film festival that started at the Northern
tip of the country ended at Kerala. The festival was
held at two districts of Kerala-Ernakulam and Wayanad.
The focus of the films shown at Kerala was water, as
the state is currently undergoing a spell of severe
drought in different parts of the state.
The film festival at Ernakulam was
held on 22 and 23 March 2004 at Ernakulam in collaboration
with the Ernakulam Karayaogam. A panel discussion on
the theme "Sustainable Development : An Indian
Perspective" was held. Prof M K Prasad, Kerala
Sasthra Sahitya Parishad, chaired the discussion.
In collaboration with the Wayanad
Social Service Society (WSSS), the film festival was
held on 25th March in two locations at Wayanad. On the
morning of 25 March, it was held at Manantawady. Students,
NGOs and community members attended the festival. Mrs.
Sarada Sajeevan, President Manantawady Gram Panchayat,
inaugurated the festival. A panel discussion on the
topic "Water is Life" was held. The discussion
had active and passionate responses from the audience.
The group wanted to know that if such discussions could
be held in various parts of the state so that the state
could develop a water policy.
The evening of 25 March saw
the film festival going to Ellumannum village. The local
MLA Mrs. Radha Raghavan inaugurated the festival over
here. The screenings of the Malayalam versions of the
films on water was held. This festival was attended
by most of the villagers.
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