FILMS ON WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENT
An Island of Hope (26 min; 2010; dvd; English)
Director: Pankaj Butalia
The Chakmas are a tribal group that went to Pakistan when the Chittagong Hilly Tracts became part of what was then known as East Pakistan. In 1964, the setting up of the Kaptal Hydel Project uprooted 50,000 Chakmas from their traditional homelands. Most of them then crossed over to India where they were buffeted from one state to another. They ended up living in and around Changlang, a small part of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh. A few years ago, a small school was started in Diyun, Changlang, by a few young Chakma men. This school suddenly transformed the local environment and led to the local communities grudgingly accepting this ‘outsider’ immigrant community
A Dam Old Story (26 min; 2010; dvd; English)
Director: Tarini Manchanda
A film about Himachal Pradesh’s precious Renuka Valley – home to biodiverse forests, fertile lands and people who have been living and farming in India’s northern mountains for generations. This Valley lies in the submergence area of a dam project that is meant to supply water to Delhi. The film takes a look at the stakes for this dam and asks whether Delhi needs this dam or Himachal’s water, at all. What can Delhi learn from the Renuka Valley?
(Collaboration: World Wide Fund for Nature-India)
