Day-long film fest on wildlife held in Aurangabad

AURANGABAD: The forest department organized a 'Wild India Festival' in the city on Tuesday to create awareness among forest guards, members of joint forest management committees (JFMC) and the general public. The festival was conducted in association with 'Nature Walk', a Pune-based NGO. More events in this series will be held across the state throughout the year.
Anuj Kher of Nature Walk said, "Through these films, the audience will come to know more about animals found in India. They will also get a chance to learn about the rich biodiversity in Indian forests. We will arrange such festivals in all major cities and create awareness on wildlife protection."
He said that most of the films on the subject that are shown on televisions are produced by foreign filmmakers. These films do not paint the real picture of Indian forests. Films by Shekar Dattatri, Bedi Brothers, Asima Narin, Vilas Kane, Mike Pandey, Sanhyog Mohite and films produced by Bombay Natural History Society were selected to be showcased at the day-long festival.
On the occasion, chief conservator of forest, Marathawada region, Meyi Pokyim, said that the festival would offer platform to members of the JFMC to understand the forest. Documentary films selected for the festival focused on various issues related to local people, forest and man and animal conflicts.
Highlighting the efforts of forest department in formation of JFMC in 325 villages, he further said the department was committed to educating its members. "These committees are the backbone of the forests."
An interactive session after the screening of each film gave participants the opportunity to interact with the forest experts present on the occasion. The members of JFMC shared valuable information. The next festival is scheduled at Beed on December 5, 2013, at Pathak Mangal Karyalaya on Talegaon Nagar Road between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm.