Who is Pradip Kishen?
 

Pradip Krishen, is an Indian filmmaker and environmentalist.
He directed three ground breaking film, namely, Massey Sahib in 1985, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones in 1989 and Electric Moon for Channel 4, UK in 1991
 

His films have won significant Indian and international award,
His book Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide, met with popular and critical acclaim, and became a bestseller in India
Pradip Krishen is married to the Booker prize winning novelist Arundhati Roy

 

GUGUEST LECTURE TO ESS STUDENTS BY PRADIP KRISHENN

 

It is human nature to regard the environment as a tool to fulfil our needs and desires while completely ignoring the fact that it does stand isolated from humans. However, it took only an hour and twenty minutes’ presentation by eminent environmentalist and filmmaker, Mr.PradipKrishen for the ESS students of Grade 11 and 12 to realize the truth. Mr.Krishen is the author of Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide, a book that has met with popular and critical acclaim, and become a bestseller in India.

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He has created "native-plant" gardens in Delhi, west Rajasthan, and Garhwal, and is currently working on two projects - a large planting scheme around a fort in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and a multifaceted eco-initiative in the Sunder Nursery in New Delhi.

On 7 September 2012, the eminent environmentalist graced the school premises to interact with the students and tell us about his journey to create the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur. The feat has been amazing; from a bare area of rocky hills and cliffs, which sustained only baavlia, Mr.Krishen, along with a team of 13 others, have managed to plant around 3000 native plant species.

Indeed, the project (which he calls “an outdoor museum”), in addition to his other projects like the “native plant gardens” are a source of inspiration for everyone. His presentation has made those who had the honour of attending it realize that each one of us can contribute to the conservation of the environment in our own way. The photos that he showed us portray an amazing transformation of an almost barren land to a green one.

It was certainly an enlightening presentation for us.We, the teachers as well as the students in attendance, realized that perhaps, it is not too late to save Planet Earth after all!

Text: Chitrangi Kakoti, Grade 12