Archive · 21 May 2025
Documentary on Endangered Turtle Wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Imagine a giant turtle that's super rare and lives in rivers.
A scientist named Ayushi went to a place called Kasaragod to study these turtles.
She teamed up with the local people to help protect them.
They made a movie about it, showing how the community and the scientist worked together to save these turtles.
The movie won an award for being the best!
Now, the scientist is working on more ways to help the turtles, like making sure their nests are safe and the turtles can keep living in their home.
A documentary about the conservation of the Asian giant softshell turtle in Kasaragod won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Ecologist Ayushi Jain documented the turtles with the help of the local community.
The documentary, "Saving the Bhimanama: Ayushi Jain and a Giant Turtle," was directed by Bahar Dutt and Vijay Bedi.
The documentary showcases the community's involvement in protecting the turtles and their nesting sites.
Ayushi is working on long-term conservation, including improving dam management to protect turtle nests.
- Who
- Ayushi Jain, ecologist; Bahar Dutt and Vijay Bedi, documentary directors; Roundglass Sustain, the documentary producer.
- What
- A documentary titled "Saving the Bhimanama: Ayushi Jain and a Giant Turtle" documenting the conservation of Asian giant softshell turtles won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- When
- Around six years ago, Ayushi Jain arrived in Kasaragod. The documentary won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2025.
- Where
- Kasaragod, Kerala
- Why
- The documentary highlights the efforts to protect the critically endangered Asian giant softshell turtle and raise awareness for conservation.
- Species
- Asian giant softshell turtle
- Location
- Kasaragod, Kerala
- Directors
- Bahar Dutt and Vijay Bedi
- Producer
- Roundglass Sustain
- Award Year
- 2025
- Conservation Status
- Critically Endangered