The Times of India 24.11.2010
Urbanization will ruin Goa: Dutta
PANAJI: All art is but a reflection of reality and cinema is no exception to it. With the myriad problems the environment faces today, it is no surprise that a number of films focus on environmental issues and ways to sort them out. Ishani Dutta, director of the documentary ‘The land of vanishing lakes’ spoke about her film, the environment and also scratched at the sad state of affairs in Goa.
“The film is based on the visual documentation of the disappearing lakes in New Delhi’s periphery. The two billion year old water bodies of the Aravallis – Surajkund, Badkhal and Damdama, have all dried up,” she said, while adding, “The film explores the nexus between the bureaucracy and the construction and mining mafia. With exclusive bytes from retired forest officers, environmentalists and scientists, we piece together the whole story behind the current mess,” Ishani said, adding that the film ends with a ray of hope in spite of apparent ecological disaster.
Speaking about the importance of initiatives like the short film centre at the Iffi, she said that such forums provided a huge platform to voice concerns involving environment and society.
At the inauguration of the SFC by the ESG at IFFI 2010 on Tuesday, Dutta also touched on Goa and its fast depleting natural beauty. She said that urbanization will ruin Goa unless it is planned. “Rampant urbanization will spell disaster for locals of Goa. It is imperative that you learn lessons from other cities and encourage planned urbanization,” she said, even as aggressive civil society groups in the state have demanded an end to mega projects and rampant, indiscriminate mining.
Dutta’s documentary is among the 10 films in the environmental competition section being screened at the SFC and will compete for the prestigious Vasudha Award.
