Renowned Environmentalist Mike Pandey Urges People to "Wake Up" and Save the 'Deepor Beel'

mike pandey

Guwahati, June 25, 2019:

“Deepor Beel is the life source of Guwahati, how can we pollute and poison our own people?” asks renowned environmentalist, conservationist, and award-winning filmmaker Mike Pandey while talking to Inside Northeast.

“In a place where the Kamakhya Temple is located, how can water be treated with such disdain?”, wonders Mike, who is also the chairperson of Earthwatch and Earthmatters foundations.

Speaking exclusively to Inside Northeast, the wildlife conservationist has said that the 'Deepor Beel' is dying and people must do something about it. He also urged the people to "wake up" and do something about it.

Supporting the campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel launched by Inside Northeast, Mike Pandey says, “Every living thing on this earth needs water for survival. We all know the fact, so how can one poison his/her own water source? Guwahati is going through acute water scarcity in these years and Deepor Beel is a crucial source of drinking water for the citizens of Guwahati and it must be protected and conserved at all cost.”

Also Read: Assam GDD Minister Endorses Inside Northeast Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel

Mike Pandey is internationally renowned for his high calibre and powerful films and is one of India’s most accomplished and iconic nature filmmakers. He has won over 300 awards for his work to spread awareness about biodiversity and species conservation, including helping conserve and protect key species such as whale sharks, elephants, tigers, vultures, and horseshoe crabs.

In 1973, Mike set up Riverbank Studios, a film studio in New Delhi, which focused on creating films about conservation and the wildlife. In 1994, he became the first Asian producer/director to win the Wildscreen Panda Award, also known as the Green Oscar, for his film The Last Migration - Wild Elephant Capture in Surguja.

In 2000, his film Shores of Silence: Whale Sharks in India, won the Green Oscar for the second time. The film also led to the ban on the killing of whale sharks on Indian shores. This film has also won a National Award for Best Film in the "Exploration & Adventure" Category, 2005.

On October 2004, he once again by won the Green Oscar for the Third time for his film Vanishing Giants – a story of his passion and involvement with elephants. This film also led to the ban of cruel and outdated techniques of elephant capture in India.

The CMS – UNEP Award for Outstanding Achievement In Global Conservation, the Prithvi Ratan or was also awarded to Mike at the CMS Vatavaran Film Festival in November 2003, for his outstanding contribution towards generating awareness, which led to the conservation of a global heritage - the Whale Shark. Mike was also presented with the Award for Cinematic Excellence by Western India’s Cinematographers Association in Mumbai, 2005.

Inside Northeast’s Campaign #LetsSaveDeeporBeel is now supported by Oil India Limited (OIL). Join us as we continue the awareness campaign to preserve the only Ramsar site in Assam which is facing immense threats. We need your held to preserve this site of great ecological importance. Join the #LetsSaveDeeporBeel campaign and tweet about it, and do tag us on Twitter. Let's make some noise!