On the occasion of World Environment Day, a special screening of the critically acclaimed film ‘Fly Away Home’ was organised at the National Centre for Human Settlements and Environment (NCHSE) in collaboration with Cine’ Classic. The event, which drew enthusiastic participation from film enthusiasts, students, educators, and environmental activists, aimed to foster public dialogue on wildlife conservation and the delicate relationship between humanity and nature. The programme commenced with a solemn tribute to the late M N Buch, the founder of NCHSE and widely regarded as the architect of modern Bhopal, marking his eleventh death anniversary. Speaking on the occasion, Director General Dr P K Nandi highlighted Buch Sahib’s visionary approach to urban planning, emphasising his lifelong efforts to strike a harmonious balance between rapid urban development and ecological conservation. Attendees fondly recalled Buch’s enduring environmental vision, human values, and his historic contributions to the planned development of the capital city.

 

In his address, Dr Nandi also shared insights into the behavioral patterns and migration of Canadian geese, providing the audience with a scientific context to the avian subjects featured in the film. Released in 1996 and inspired by true events, Fly Away Home follows the journey of 13-year-old Amy, who relocates to Canada to live with her father, Thomas, after her mother’s tragic demise. The narrative unfolds as Amy rescues a nest of abandoned Canadian goose eggs at a local construction site. Upon hatching, the gooslings imprint on her as their mother. To ensure their survival, Amy and her father embark on an extraordinary mission, navigating an ultralight aircraft to guide the flock safely south for winter migration. The film serves as a moving exploration of trust, environmental responsibility, and human-animal coexistence.

 

The screening was followed by an interactive panel discussion where participants expressed deep concern over the accelerating environmental degradation of Bhopal. Key issues raised included the city’s rapidly shrinking green cover, increasing anthropogenic pressure on its historic water bodies, and rising pollution levels. Speakers at the forum emphasised that environmental protection cannot remain the sole domain of government policy. Instead, it demands collective responsibility, active civic participation, and institutional collaboration. A broad consensus emerged on the urgent need for sustained community action to preserve Bhopal’s ecological balance, with participants formally resolving to support ongoing initiatives aimed at securing the prestigious ‘Wetland City’ status for Bhopal. Concluding the event, Sunil Shukla, curator of Cine’ Classic, noted that the joint initiative with NCHSE underscores the power of meaningful cinema in driving environmental awareness and fostering informed public discourse.