Filmmaker Akanksha Joshi's 'Chilika Bank$' narrates the story of India's largest coastal lake, and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it, through the eyes of a Banyan Tree

The Banyan tree that stands tall on the banks of the Chilika Lake has been a mute witness to eco-crimes committed over the years. Aside from the impact on the environment, the livelihoods of almost one lakh fisher folk have been adversely affected because of overfishing and commercialisation.


A scene from Chilika Bank$

The untold stories of these men and women, as well as the troubles of Chilika form the subject of filmmaker Akanksha Joshi's 55-minute documentary, 'Chilika Bank$'. "The export of prawns and shrimps began in the 1970s. More money started flowing in with a gradual increase in demand. But the money went to the middlemen, and not the fishermen. So, they remained poor, while others were minting money," elaborates Akanksha.

The lake started being used as a factory, and by the mid-1980s it had been overfished with aquaculture ponds becoming a common sight. "These ponds also had support from the government. Motor boats replaced wooden boats and fishermen had to borrow money to buy these boats and sustain a livelihood," says Joshi, adding, "Thousands of fisher folk are even today heavily in debt, because of the money borrowed by them to set up aquacultute ponds or to buy new equipment."

Heavy silt deposition at the mouth where the lake meets the Bay of Bengal resulted in a closure of the mouth to the sea, which is when the Chilika Development Authority cut a new mouth to the lake in 2000. This adversely affected the ecosystem and the lives of the people living in the 132 villages surrounding the lake.

"The water current has become much stronger and even poisonous fish are now seen in the lake. The villagers believe the sea is soon going to eat up Chilika," says Akanksha who first visited the lake around six years ago, while in Orissa on assignment. After returning several times to hear the stories of the people there, and silent evenings by the lake, Akanksha felt compelled to tell its story, which finds voice in Chilika Bank$.

Chilika Bank$ received the Livelihood Award at the Vataravan Film Festival 2009.
Onu00a0February 17, 7 pm
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