Shot under extreme conditions and threats from the local mafia, the film took 3 years to complete. This is the first ever and only video documentation of the massacre of whale sharks on the Indian coast.

 

This film moved the government of India into bringing in legislation and banning the killing of Whale Sharks on Indian shores. The Whale Shark was declared protected under the Indian Wildlife Act- 1972, bringing it at par with the Tiger and the Rhino.

 

A landmark move, this was the first marine species to be protected under the Indian law.

 

In November 2002, at the international CITES meet in Chile, Santiago, a negative voting changed into an overwhelming positive after this film was shown to the delegates – bringing global protection of the Whale Shark and giving the largest fish in the world a new lease of life.

 

The Film has also been greatly successful in bringing about change in the attitude of fisher folk along the Gujarat coast who have now become their guardians.

 

Awards:

THE GREEN OSCAR -Winner of the Worlds most Prestigious GREEN OSCAR / PANDA AWARD, Wildscreen Festival, Bristol, UK – 2000

The Citta Di Toronto at the Cinemambiente Awadrs – 2001

The 6th Sichuan TV Festival , China – 2001

The Honour of Knowledge Award at Baristlava, Slovakia – 2001

The Golden Jury Award, Worldfest, Houston- 2002

The Rolls Royce, Commonwealth Broadcasting Award, UK- 2002

Ecofilm, Award in the Category of Documentary, Oct 2002

Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic Award, Nov 2002

Wildlife trust of India, Endangered Species Award, 2002

Vatavaran 2003 Prithvi Ratan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Global Conservation, November 2003

National Award for Best Adventure & Exploration Film, 2005

  •  Duration:

      24 minutes

  •   Client:

    Independent Production