ENVIRONMENT SPEAKS!

The evening was pleasant and friendly at the British Council premises on ‘The World Environment Day’ celebrated on June 5^th.  We, a group of environment enthusiasts had assembled to watch the movie screening of the documentaries nominated for the UKEFF-UK environment film fellowship. It started with a welcome address and a brief introduction by Haripriya and Shruthi, world climate champions of the British council. Dignitaries attended the event from the British council, the High Commission and Mr. Vijay Bedi, the director of one of the films.

                Five films of 12mins each highlighted various parts of India where our environment is getting highly unfriendly and the various measures being executed. “Notes from the Green City’ presented us with an insightful knowledge about the environment-friendly city of Surat with the garbage being recycled to be used as fuel for the buses and how simple ideas like switching of half the road-lights at midnight saves power. ‘Blocks of Green’ emphasized on sustainable energy saved in Mumbai and Kolkata by construction of buildings that trap solar power, recycle water and naturally keep the rooms cool. ‘Wheel of Change’ was about groups of people in Bengaluru who are trying to reduce the traffic snarls. First being the techie bicyclists, next the car poolers who also have a website called ‘commuteasy.com’ and the increased users of public transport.

  ‘Miracle water Village’ took us through the village Hiware Bazar in Maharashtra who have a self supporting water system that takes them even though heavy droughts. A small spark initiated by a young man twenty years ago, which is holding good till date due to the efforts of the villagers.

  ‘Melting Paradise’ by Vijay Bedi had a great impact and insight about the melting glaciers of Kashmir. It no longer snows even during peak winter, which has perturbed the natives to a great extent. There was an interactive session with Mr.Bedi when he shared his experience of shooting in Srinagar and the experience of seeing the people making efforts to impart knowledge to the present generation about the current state.

  The whole two-hour session had all feel that even small efforts would have a positive impact over the days to come. Hope that these films reach a larger common audience and that each individual develop responsibility towards our environment.