7th CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum 2014

The 2014 CMS VATAVARAN theme was mainstreaming biodiversity conservation at different levels to promote living in harmony with nature. The theme was also significant in the context of recently held 11th Conference of Parties (CoP-11) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at Hyderabad, India and UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 (65th session of United Nations General Assembly resolution 65/161). One of the outcomes of the CoP 11 about the future protection of biodiversity has been recognition of a new and interesting approach to raise awareness and involvement of the public.

All endeavours of 7th CMS VATAVARAN contributed to the Aichi Target and Strategic Goals by mainstreaming biodiversity conservation at different level to promote living in harmony with nature. This festival and forum aimed to make people informed, motivated and committed towards values of biodiversity conservation through range of outreach, communication and awareness activities & approaches. This is the largest ever public outreach programme in India for celebrating CoP 11 presidency.

More than 10,000 participants representing organisations, students, academics and individuals from all sections participated in this festival across five days. Several exhibitions, games, film booth, food court, green haat, music festival, open stage, interesting decor and art installation were on display for promoting diversity in nature. At this festival, contemporary issues related to coastal and marine, mountain, inland water & wetlands and forest biodiversity were deliberated upon. Intense 12 sessions on India's Draft National Biodiversity Targets were also held. (more details of the program are available on www.cmsvatavaran.org)

The 7th CMS VATAVARAN: Environment & Wildlife Film Festival and Forum held at the IGNCA Lawns, New Delhi, India from (Thursday - Monday) Jan 30 - Feb 03, 2014 featured around 112 films and more than 100 eminent speakers in 70 thematic sessions and expert discussions in six specially curated lawns.

Six specially created lawns were:

JAPAN LAWN: The Japan lawn was specially curated with the thematic focus on biodiversity of forest, mountain and inland waters & wetland. Some of the important issues and focus of the sessions held in this lawn were Forest Right Act, Tourism in tiger reserves, protected areas, traditional knowledge, human wildlife conflict, Himalayan biodiversity, and policy issues. COJWE Japan, UNDP, Pragya and Zoo Outreach were knowledge partners.

UNDP and GIZ Lawn: The lawn with the theme of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity held screenings and sessions on the issues such as conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity, climate change, livelihood issues, institutional and financial mechanism, etc. UNDP, GIZ - Indo German Biodiversity Programme and International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) were the partners.

CMS Lawn: Sessions, book launches, press briefings and workshops were organised in the CMS Lawn. Some of the issues discussed are India's Draft National Biodiversity Targets, Urban Wetlands, Conservation of Biodiversity Rich Areas Outside the Protected Area Network. Book Launch of First Food: A Taste of India's Biodiversity was also held here by Ms Sunita Narain.

Young Champions Lawn: The Young audiences were treated to film screenings, workshops, painting competitions, sessions, puppetry, etc at the Young Champions Lawn. Not only students, teachers and parents actively participated in various activities organised at the Young Champions Lawn. Some of the interesting sessions were on Environment Education, animal behavior, western ghats. WTI, CEE and SACON were the knowledge partners.

ONGC Lawn: All the Indian nominated films were screened followed by open forums with the audience at the ONGC Lawn. Yann Arthus - Bertrand's Retrospective was an important part of the ONGC Lawn. Two films by the filmmaker, 'A Thirsty World' and 'Planet Ocean' were screened. Special film screenings and sessions were also part of the this Lawn where prominent speakers such as Dr Ravi Chellam, Vidya Athreya, Sujay Dahake, Nandan Saxena, Kavita Bahl, Bablu Ganguly, and many more.

International Screen: More than 50 films including nominated film in International categories, and partner films of ONGC, Delhi Metro, UNDP were screened at the International screen for four days. Open forum with some of the nominated International filmmakers were also held.

Grand Stage: The five day film festival and forum was not all about films and serious issues. This time we witnessed performances by students, artists, musicians etc in the form of songs, theatre, dance, drum jam, etc. More than 18 performances were organised by CMS VATAVARAN with participation from schools, colleges, academies, groups, and more. Gala Inauguration and awards ceremonies were also held in this lawn.