Discover the Impact of 'Boys From the Groves' on Coastal Conservation in Odisha
Documentary Release on World Environment Day
Bhubaneswar: On World Environment Day, a documentary named Boys From the Groves was unveiled at a special screening at Utkala Rangamancha Auditorium, focusing on community-driven coastal conservation initiatives in Odisha.
The film highlights the efforts of coastal conservationist Soumya Ranjan Biswal and the residents of Gundalaba, especially the youth and women, in revitalizing mangrove forests along Astaranga beach in Puri to mitigate the impacts of cyclones, tidal surges, and flooding.
Adyasha Satpathy, CEO of Dharitri and OrissaPOST, commended the grassroots initiatives during her speech at the event. She remarked, “One individual can indeed make a significant difference and create an impact.” Satpathy also praised filmmaker Snehasis Das for utilizing cinema to raise awareness about climate change, describing the film as a vital tool for public education.
The screening was attended by Tathagata Satpathy, editor of Dharitri and OrissaPOST, noted athlete Anuradha Biswal, and other esteemed guests. The event also featured the launch of Naali Cha, a book inspired by a documentary on rural Odisha.
Soumya Ranjan Biswal, who founded the Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan (OPSA), stressed the critical need for mangrove restoration, labeling Odisha as the “disaster capital” due to its susceptibility to frequent cyclones. He stated, “Mangroves serve as a protective barrier. Our conservation efforts are a response to the increasing wrath of nature.”
Snehasis Das acknowledged the commitment of Gundalaba’s community and expressed that the film's goal is to raise awareness about climate change through engaging visual narratives. “Climate change is a broad topic. I opted for short films and music videos to connect with people at the grassroots level,” he explained.
The documentary is directed by Snehasis Das, with Richard Mahapatra contributing as the scriptwriter and Bibhuprasad Mishra serving as the associate editor.