The final couple of days of Biodiversity By The Bay characteristic comedian Daniel Fernandes and screenwriter Anu Menon
Earlier this month, it was introduced that the controversial Metro automobile shed at Mumbai’s Aarey colony was being shifted to Kanjurmarg, a locality within the japanese a part of the bustling metropolis. If you happen to’re questioning why that is essential, the eco-sensitive zone has been within the information for the previous few months, ever for the reason that authorities ordered the felling of over 2,700 bushes to make approach for the Metro Rail. Mockingly, only a few days previous to the automobile shed making headlines as soon as once more, Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic — a collective of Mumbaikars and organisations, corresponding to local weather non-profit Waatavaran — and leisure firm DeadAnt launched a three-week digital competition aimed toward celebrating the town’s biodiversity by way of the humanities.
Based amidst the pandemic in August this yr, the collective shot to fame for his or her efforts to guard the town’s flamingos and their shrinking habitats. Since then, they’ve additionally highlighted Mumbai’s disappearing inexperienced cowl and fast urbanisation. Their newest initiative is Biodiversity By The Bay, which concludes on October 25.
The ultimate week, devoted to comedy, included dwell units by East India Comedy’s Kunal Rao, The Anti Social Community’s host José Covaco, and stand-up artist Prashasti Singh, amongst others. Tune in right now for a efficiency by comedian Daniel Fernandes, which will likely be adopted by a session by director-screenwriter Anu Menon on Sunday. “Menon’s sketch will discover the issues girls must be cautious of earlier than agreeing up to now a person, and the way that conveniently pertains to preserving our flamingo habitats,” says Sonali Bhasin, Senior Strategist at Goal Local weather Lab (PCL), a member of the Magic coalition.
Wanting again at week one
The themes explored up to now have been each informative and immersive. The primary week of Biodiversity By The Bay had introduced collectively a number of creative interventions, together with artists Shilo Shiv Suleman and Pia Alize whose work raised consciousness in regards to the Aarey forest, Priyanka Paul’s piece on the Covid-hit Koli fishing group, and Vinu Joseph’s animated paintings exploring the connection between a boy and a hermit crab.
Bhasin says the response has been phenomenal. “We’ve had over one million folks interact with the competition. We’ve additionally seen a rise within the variety of signatures for the petition [to Aditya Thackeray with five demands to protect Mumbai’s environment]. Everyone appears to have actually embraced the combat for the flamingos.”
Past the fest
However how do the organisers see the collective bringing about precise change in Mumbai’s ecosystem? Addressing on-ground conservation efforts, Arpita Bhagat, Marketing campaign Supervisor at PCL, says a number of folks have been concerned in these initiatives over time. “From these working with the Koli group to activists on the frontline of the Save Aarey motion, we’re excited to carry new voices into the dialog,” she says, including, “There are lots of children within the metropolis who’re occupied with these points, however don’t have a place to begin. Festivals like these will spark new entry factors into the local weather dialog, and supply folks with route.”
Stream the competition on @mumbaismagic on Instagram.
