Not silent anymore
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Only An Axe Away is a well-researched documentary on the struggle to preserve the Silent Valley
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BEHIND THE SCENES The film documents one of the first studies done of the valley by the Kerala Forest Research Institute
The struggle to save Silent Valley from hydroelectric projects has been well documented by the media. But Only An Axe Away, by activists P. Baburaj and C. Saratchandran, who were at the forefront of the protests, takes one behind the scenes and makes a case for the bio-diversity of the valley to be preserved for future generations.
The film begins with a visual showing the consequences of deforestation at Attapady near Silent Valley, which is also known locally as Sairandhri. The makers then go on to chronicle the first protests to save the forests in the 1970's when the Kerala State Electricity Board attempted to build a dam across the River Kunthipuzha that carves the valley.
The film documents one of the first studies done of the valley by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), which revealed the rich bio-diversity and several species of plants and animals that are not known to exist anywhere else in the world.
The early activists and researchers are given plenty of minutes to make their case, and the activists include a number of big literary figures who played a major role in the protests — poets Sugathakumari and P.V. Krishna Warrier.
As a result of the vociferous protests, the project was dropped and the Silent Valley National Park was formed which protected 89.5 sq kms of tropical rainforest.
But the spectre of the forests drowning emerged again in 2002 when the Pathrakadavu Project was announced just 500 metres from the park boundary. The film documents the second series of protests and questions the model of development that India is pursuing. The makers also take pains to illustrate that it is just not environmental activists who are up in arms but also local people. Locals who depend on the river for their livelihoods are again given generous minutes and one man even threatens to blow up the dam.
Overall the documentary is well-researched and that is a result of the directors' involvement in the struggle. If there is one negative, then it has to be the visuals of the valley, which could have been better. But then again activists don't have Spielberg's budget to work with.
The film is P. Baburaj and C. Saratchandran's third film together. They spoke to Friday Review about the film. Excerpts.
It is one of the few documentaries that take development head on...
Kerala itself has more than 40-45 dams. Most off them are silted and the capacity has come down. Energy and lives spent on building them are a waste. We can only oppose these things. The first film we did was about the Birla factory in Calicut. It was a rayon pulp factory that was polluting for 36 to 38 years and it destroyed the forests.
Is that the kind of development we need? There are alternatives. But we never put money or policies in them.
In the last election development was a big criteria. Like Andhra Pradesh, people rejected highways and fast-track development. We are asking that the development is for what and for whom. Silent valley was a landmark in development debate in Kerala.
The people opposed the project, even though it promised electricity? Were you surprised?
You see nowadays, whatever development activity comes, people realise its ramifications and activists question it scientifically. That's how it happens. In this case everyone knows about Silent Valley.
In Kerala people actively take part in debates, they are aware of issues and the young population reads newspapers. They were aware of the project. It wasn't difficult to convince them. Also the Left front had taken a stance against the project.
Do you see the project being revived in the future?
Possible. Even the Swaminathan Committee mentioned that after 20 to 30 years due to political pressure it might resurface. It won't be Patrakadavu, it will be Silent Valley Project.
Can sustainable development be given a chance for practical application?
Yes it can be applied but not everywhere. It can be implemented in places where it is possible. Kerala has a huge potential for macro and mini hydel projects. Something, which has not been tapped. It looks like there is no money in it for politicians.
Only An Axe Away and many more documentaries are on sale with Visualsearch. For copies call Ullaash Kumar on 94493 50275 or email ullaashkumar@yahoo.co.uk. Visualsearch screens documentaries for the public on the last Saturday of every month.
ANAND SANKAR
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