Targeted Research to Empower Change

Biodiversity Film Festival(June 1-4)

The four-day long Biodiversity Film Festival, which commenced on June 1 at National Science Centre culminated on the eve of World Environment Day with a special screening for Indian Air Force Officials at Subroto Park in the city. The festival saw screening of more than 20 films on biodiversity, premier of Naresh Bedi’s film “Project Tiger: Ensuring Survival” and special screenings for children, IAF officials and Tihar inmates. The film festival was organised by CMS Environment as part of the World Environment Day 2011 celebrations hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), GOI.

Highlights of the Film Festival
Day -1

The film festival kickstarted with special screenings for children at National Science Centre, near Pragati Maidan. More than 700 children participated in the film screenings from 09:30 am ‐02:00 pm. In addition to watching films, children also interacted with Vihaan Krishnanmoorthy, child artist of the film Trunk Call and eminent filmmaker Girish Girija Joshi (director of Zor Lagaa Ke… Haiyaa). The children’s section of the film festival was inaugurated by Mr Sandeep Dikshit, Member of Parliament, Mr B M S Rathore, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI, Mr D Rama Sharma, Director, National Science Centre and Ms P N Vasanti, Director CMS. In the evening another screening was organised for ITBP officials at ITBP Camp, Tigri.

Day 2

Eminent filmmaker Naresh Bedi’s film “Project Tiger: Ensuring Survival” was premiered during the inaugural ceremony at PVR Plaza, followed by an interactive session with the director. In addition, UNEP Report on the Global Survey on Sustainable Lifestyles –“Vision for Change” was also released. Another film directed by Naresh Bedi “Ladakh: The forbidden wilderness” was also screened during the inaugural programme.

Day 3

A special screening of films was organised at Tihar Prison complex for the inmates on June 3, 03:00 pm‐05:00pm. The film screenings were attended by Dr Kiran Bedi, former IPS officer, Mr Neeraj Kumar, IPS, Director General (Prisons), Ms Meera Mehrishi, IAS, Additional Secretary, MoEF, GoI, Ms P N Vasanti, director, CMS and more than 300 inmates. The main venue for the film screenings was Badminton Hall, Jail no 7. In addition it was also relayed in all the TV screens inside Tihar premises.

Day 4

The last day of the Biodiversity Film Festival saw a special screening of films for Indian Air Force officials and families at the Air Force auditorium, Subroto Park. Two widely appreciated films, “Tiger Queen” and “Ganges” were screened as part of the festival. The film screenings were attended by Air Vice Marshal Ajay Masson, VSM, ACAS, Wing Commander H C Chowdhury, Director, Air Force Auditorium and Mr Niranjan Khatri, General Manager (Quality Welcome Environment Initiatives), ITC Group of Hotels.