Water - Focus of environment and wildlife festival

A spread of dishes from various states, a farmers' market offering a taste of fresh produce from rural area besides a slew of films on environment issues are on offer at the 8th edition of the CMS Vatavaran Film Festival here.
The five-day festival with the theme "Water for Life" with a special focus on conserving the country's water bodies was inaugurated today by Rajendra Singh who is also known as the 'Waterman of India.'
On offer during the festival are 74 thematic films from 16 Indian states and 11 countries followed by sessions with film makers as well as policy makers to solve various environmental issues plaguing society.

"The theme has been chosen keeping in mind the fact that the way water scarcity issues are addressed, impacts upon the successful achievement of most of the development goals," P N Vasanti, Director General, CMS said.
In association with the American Centre, the extravaganza is an amalgamation of celebration and discourse with film screenings, forums on critical water issues, panorama of international film festivals, workshops on film making, exhibitions, green haat and much more.
"We are focusing on water and problems in water management systems around the world to show the disturbing effects these choices have on human beings," Vasanti said.

"The fact that India has just 4 per cent of the world's fresh water but 16 per cent of the global population is reason enough to begin a serious discussion on proper and effective water management and conservation," she said.

Apart from nominated films, Bollywood films "Kaun Kitne Paani Mein" by Nila Madhab Panda and "Aisa Yeh Jahaan" by Biswajeet Bora will also be showcased.
Followed by 25 award winning films on Water, 10 nominated films from Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and five Nature films from Conservation International will also spread the message of "water conservation".
"We have films not only on issues of animals but also on livelihood, conservation, climate change and technology, water for life and other issues are being covered in very interesting and a poignant way. These films are going to be enjoyable and yet learning experience," Vasanti said.