A wildlife documentary being screened at Regional Museum of Natural History in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3: The mantra of screen it big to spread awareness has caught the fancy of the state government as well as social organisations.

While a film festival on World Cerebral Palsy Day concluded this evening, another dedicated to wildlife sites of the state begun today.

For four days, the state forest department will screen documentaries on wildlife at the Regional Museum of Natural History here. The screening will be held in two phases — from 12noon to 1pm and 4pm to 5pm.

The documentaries will showcase the flora and fauna of Bhitarakanika, Chilika, Nandankanan and Chandaka. Apart from this, a documentary on Khairi — the tiger cub rescued and adopted by Indian Forest Service officer and field director the late Saroj Raj Chaudhury in 1974 — will also be shown.

The first day of the screening started with a film on the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over 672sqkm. The one-hour programme also showcased the giant salt-water crocodiles and 11 species of water birds that throng Bagagahan, which is close to Suhajore creek. In winter, the place also witnesses congregation of 280 species of birds.

A forest department official said the documentaries would not only spread awareness, but also encourage eco-tourism.

“Our main aim is to preserve biodiversity along with sustainable development of the people living along the sanctuaries and national parks. This way, we will be able to reach out to the people and also boost eco-tourism. We are also planning to screen these documentaries in schools and colleges,” said divisional forest officer of Chandaka wildlife division M. Mohapatra.

The two-day ‘We Care’ film festival held at the Institute of Engineers screened documentaries on disabilities.

Organised by social organisation Aaina, in collaboration with New Delhi-based Brotherhood, the festival was divided into three segments — quiz competitions, film screenings and panel discussions.

Quizzers from schools and colleges battled it out for the top spot in the senior and junior categories. Documentaries of several critically acclaimed and amateur filmmakers were screened at the festival. A Chinese film Colours of the Blind was also screened.