Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Films Explore Pastoral Life and Climate Change at Hyderabad Festival
A film festival at IIT Hyderabad explored how pastoral people live with animals and grasslands.
It focused on how climate change is affecting their work, homes and relationships with livestock.
The event marked the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.
Four films were shown, including two from India and two from Germany and the UK.
Two Indian films were made by Rashmi Singh during her research in the Indian Himalaya.
After the films, students and teachers discussed pastoral communities and their importance to grasslands and biodiversity.
The event also had photos, cartoons and a drive to reuse and recycle items.
IIT Hyderabad said it is working on greener campus practices such as water harvesting, waste management and expanding green cover.
The 11th Babul Eco Film Festival was held at IIT Hyderabad and focused on pastoral life, rangelands and climate change.
The festival marked the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.
Four films were screened: Planet Sheep, The Big Steppe, Gyur Se and Bagaal.
Gyur Se and Bagaal were made by IIT Hyderabad researcher Dr Rashmi Singh as part of her work on pastoralism and climate change in the Indian Himalaya.
The programme also featured discussions, a photography exhibition, an EcoCartoon display, a Reuse and Recycle Drive and information about IIT Hyderabad’s sustainability efforts.
- Who
- IIT Hyderabad, the Babul Eco Film Festival, the Babul Films Society, filmmaker and researcher Dr Rashmi Singh, and participating filmmakers, students and faculty.
- What
- The 11th Babul Eco Film Festival screened four films and hosted discussions about pastoral communities, rangelands, livestock and climate change.
- When
- During the 11th festival, which was registered as part of the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists celebrations.
- Where
- IIT Hyderabad in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Why
- To explore how pastoral communities experience environmental and climatic change and to discuss their role in maintaining rangelands and biodiversity.
- Festival
- 11th Babul Eco Film Festival
- Films screened
- Planet Sheep, The Big Steppe, Gyur Se and Bagaal
- Film origins
- Planet Sheep was from Germany, The Big Steppe from the UK, and Gyur Se and Bagaal were Indian documentaries.
- Research focus
- Pastoralism, rangelands and climate change in the Indian Himalaya
- Additional activities
- Photography exhibition, EcoCartoon display and Reuse and Recycle Drive
- Campus sustainability
- IIT Hyderabad highlighted plans for net-zero operations, expanded green cover, water harvesting and waste management
- Global connection
- The programme was registered as part of the 2026 celebrations supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations