Biennial 'CMS Vatavaran Awards' given to 25 winners

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) Spreading consciousness on environment and wildlife issues through films, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today presented the biennial five-day 'CMS Vatavaran 2007' awards to 25 winners under 18 categories from among the 275 entries made this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Dikshit said films were an excellent medium to put the message across in a subtle and effective manner.

Stressing the importance of environmental consciousness, the CM said children should be the immediate target because they carry the message forward and make things happen.

While in the international category, 'The Queen of Hills' by Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble won the 'Best of Festival 2007' award, in the national category 'Wild Dog Diaries' by Senani Hegde lapped the top prize.

The 'Children's Film Award', given for kindling appreciation of the natural world and its conservation among the young, went to 'Carpa Diem' by Sergio Cannella, and the 'Climate Change Award' for portraying the science or signs of climate change and its impact on the ecology was bagged by 'Strange Days on Planet Earth- The One-Degree Factor' by Rob Whittlesey and Mark R Shelly.

Also, the 'Animal Behaviour Award' went to 'Cuttlefish - The Brainy Bunch' by Gisela Kaufmann and the 'Nature and People Award' to 'Natural World: Bear Man of Kamchatka' by Jeff Turner.

The 'Jury Special Mention Award' was won by 'The Cathedral Forest' by Patrick Rouxel and the 'Environmental Conservation Award' by 'Global Focus III: The New Environmentalists' directed by John Antonelli.

Appreciating the ''superb quality'' of film entries, noted film-maker Shyam Benegal said the films could compete with the best anywhere in the world.

Giving awards to winners in the 'International Category', introduced for the first time and which received 54 entries from 18 countries, Dr Karan Singh said the efforts put in to spread the message was laudable.

The 'CMS Vatavaran Awards' recognises films which educate and foster understanding and action on environment and wildlife issues and advance appreciation of the natural world.

This year's awards carried the largest ever prize money of Rs 12.5 lakh.

UNI