Green Zones

Surat,in the mid 1990s,was considered to be the best possible example of an urban nightmare. A plague epidemic ruined its reputation and the almost non-existent civic amenities of the city was blamed for the mess.

Surat,in the mid 1990s,was considered to be the best possible example of an urban nightmare. A plague epidemic ruined its reputation and the almost non-existent civic amenities of the city was blamed for the mess. But as they say,when you hit rock bottom there is only one way to go,up. Thus,the think-tank of Surat scripted an amazing recovery story. Within a decade,Surat has emerged as an Eco-friendly city which believes in the use of alternative energy. The waste management system is exemplary and the use of eco-friendly modes of mass transport further establishes Surat’s reputation as a model city.

This amazing journey has been documented by Madhyama Subramanian in her 12-minute documentary made as a part of the UK Environmental Film Fellowships 2010 (UKEFF 2010). Through a series of interviews and with the aid animation graphics Subramanian manages to put across the story in an informative and entertaining manner.

The UKEFF,which have been awarded every year since 2005 to Indian environmental filmmakers,invites filmmakers to make films on environmental issues that affect our country. Though the fellowship is generally offered to four filmmakers,this year the quality of entries were so good that the authorities decided to award an extra fellowship.

Kolkata,w as represented in form of a film on green buildings made by city-based documentary maker,Bishnu Dev Halder. His film tells us about the efforts made to make building complexes in Mumbai more Eco-friendly through solar power projects and rain-water harvesting. Most of the buildings shown are decades-old highrises which house hundreds of families. Here too straight-forward interviews carry forward the story in a linear manner. The efforts of both the government and building complex owners are praised and the advantages of such collective effort highlighted. The Kolkata section of the film,however,is the most disappointing one. It talks about the efforts taken by private realty firms to make upcoming structures more Eco-friendly in newer parts of the city like Rajarhat and Sector V. Though the efforts taken by such firms is definitely praiseworthy,the last section of the film ends up looking like a promotional video of the realty firm.

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