Operation Hot Pursuit

English/23mins 30secs/2003
Producer: Niret & Nikhil J. Alva, MIDITECH PVT. LTD.
Commissioned by: National Geographic Channel International

Subject Focus: A racy account conservationist Vivek Menon’s mission to investigate the illegal trade in ivory across Asia.

Summary: This film is a racy thriller that follows conservationist Vivek Menon as he sets out on the trail of the illegal ivory trade, sometimes with hidden cameras for undercover investigations, raids to nab illegal ivory traders and secret meetings with buyers of ivory and captures the live drama of the sting operations. Live and beneath the tension, the excitement and often disappointments of the investigator. We follow him in hot pursuit of the illegal trade of ivory from India, starting from the culling of gentle giants in Southern India, to the sale of their tusks packaged and smuggled via trading routes in Taiwan and finally to Japan.

Producer’s/Director’s Profile: Niret Alva - has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in reporting, presenting, anchoring and directing for television. He is a Series Director and anchor for the Panda Award winning environment show Living on the Edge, The Great Escape for the Star network and the Asian Television Award winning automotive show Wheels. In 2002, he won the award for Best Current Affairs for Infotainment Presenter at the Asian Television Awards, Singapore.

Nikhil Alva, with his brother Niret Alva, in 1992 set up Miditech, a production house that specializes in environment and travel programming. His film Living on the Edge, India’s first comprehensive environment series won three awards: The Pinnacle, a national award; as the Best Information Series which is an international award - the Green Oscar, the Panda Award atWildscreen, in 1996 and the Silver Tree Award for Best Environment series in Vatavaran 2002. He directed and scripted The Lions of Gir which won a Special Jury Award at Vatavaran 2002 film festival.