Pushpa Gujral Science City, jointly with Punjab Pollution Control Board and Centre for Environment Communication, is celebrating World Environment week. An environmental Film Festival is being organized as a part of the event from June 3-5.
Dr. RBS Rawat, Former PCCF & HOFF Uttarakhand, was the Chief Guest on day 2 of the Film Festival. Speaking at the occasion, he said that deforestation, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, industrialization and socio-economic constraints are the major causes of climate change leading to desertification in certain areas, as well as glacier melting and flooding, in others. In his advice to the government he has emphasized upon the importance of habitat protection and Ecosystem restoration to minimize damage from events like flooding and cloudbursts in mountain regions and prevention of droughts in the plains to achieve sustainability.
Two films based on Ecosystem conservation viz. ‘Endemic Species Conservation focused on traditional conservation practices of Mystica swamps in the Western Ghats of India’ and ‘Flight to Freedom- The Amur Falcon story’ based on attitudinal change in the local population of Nagaland to ensure protection of this migratory species as they migrate from Mongolia to the African continent were showcased at the occasion, followed by discussions with their film makers Ram Alluri and Bano Haralu.
Dr. Neelima Jerath DG, Science City in her introductory remarks said that natural resources should not be considered as free goods and Biodiversity of a country is its immeasurable wealth. India, a mega diverse nation, is one of the richest nations in terms of biological diversity. In the past few centuries, anthropogenic pressures have had a negative effect on biodiversity and natural resources and their protection is necessary. Environmental Films help us visualize the impacts as well as,act as reminders to our responsibility to our environment Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director Science City present at the occasion emphasized on urgent need of undertaking conservation measures to protect biodiversity as it is fundamental to the existence of life on the earth and the importance of it cannot be underestimated.
