Pune: In honor of World Tiger Day, a captivating three-day ‘Tiger Fest’ has been organized by the ‘Nature Walk Charitable Trust,’ bringing nature enthusiasts and wildlife advocates together to celebrate the majestic creatures that grace our forests. The festival commenced on Friday, 28th July, and will continue until Sunday, 30th July, with an array of enlightening events and captivating documentaries, all dedicated to raising awareness about tiger conservation in India.
As part of the program series ’50 Golden Years of Project Tiger,’ the ‘Tiger Fest’ aims to shed light on the tireless efforts made for the preservation of tigers and their habitats. The event boasts an impressive lineup of national-level experts who will share comprehensive insights into the challenges faced by these magnificent animals and the steps being taken to secure their future.
On the opening day of the festival, a mesmerizing wildlife film titled ‘Tiger Queen,’ crafted by renowned wildlife filmmaker Nalla Mutthu, enthralled the audience at the NFDC National Film Archive of India Auditorium on Law College Road. The film offers a captivating glimpse into the life of tigers in their natural habitat and their role as the regal rulers of the jungle.
Among the esteemed guests present on the inaugural day were Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sunil Limaye, and Anuj Goyal, Director of Goyal Ganga Development, who graced the event with their esteemed presence.
The second day of the festival, 29th July, witnessed the screening of two documentaries produced by Optimum Television. The first documentary, ‘Counting Tigers,’ reveals the endeavors of a dedicated team as they traversed 50 tiger reserves during the 2018 tiger count, shedding light on the outcomes of this crucial census.
The second documentary, ‘Decoding Monitors of Sundarbans,’ delves into the lesser-known aspects of the Sundarbans and its tiger population. Neglected no more, the Sundarbans’ tigers take center stage in this compelling study conducted by a team of scientists.
The venue for this thought-provoking day was the Shubharambh Lawns (Golden Leaf Banquet Hall) on DP Road. Chief guests on this occasion included High Court Judge Sriram Modak, Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, and Goyal Ganga Development Director Anuj Goyal.
The final day of the ‘Tiger Fest,’ 30th July, promises a delightful mix of cultural and educational events. In the morning session, attendees will be treated to Nalla Mutthu’s heartwarming film, ‘Machli – The World Famous Tiger,’ which tells the captivating story of Machili, the renowned tigress from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Alongside the film screening, Rajeev Pandit’s book ‘Ranboli,’ based on the enchanting world of the forest, will be released, promising an immersive journey into the heart of nature.
In the evening session, two more captivating wildlife films by Nalla Mutthu, ‘Tiger’s Revenge’ and ‘Clash of Tigers,’ will captivate the audience at the NFDC’s National Film Archive of India Auditorium on Law College Road. ‘Tiger’s Revenge’ showcases the incredible lengths a tigress will go to protect her cubs, while ‘Clash of Tigers’ delves into the lives of a tiger family in Ranthambore.
Esteemed guests attending the closing session include industrialist Atul Kirloskar and Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale.
The ‘Tiger Fest’ has garnered immense interest among nature enthusiasts and advocates alike, with an open invitation extended to all citizens to join and be part of this grand celebration of India’s remarkable tiger conservation journey. Through these insightful documentaries and the contributions of experts, the festival aims to inspire a collective commitment towards preserving the endangered tiger species for generations to come.
‘Tiger Fest’ Schedule:
28th July: 6 pm. – ‘Tiger Queen’ at NFDC National Film Archive of India Auditorium, Law College Road
July 29: 6 pm. – ‘Counting Tigers’ and ‘Decoding Man-eaters of Sundarbans’ at Shubharambh Lawns (Golden Leaf Banquet Hall), DP Road
July 30: 10 am. – Release of documentary ‘Machali – The World Famous Tiger’ and book ‘Ranboli’ by Rajeev Pandit on Jungle at New English School, Tilak Road
July 30: 6 pm. – ‘Tiger’s Revenge’ and ‘Clash of Tigers’ at NFDC’s National Film Archive of India Auditorium, Law College Road
