Kolkata, February 18: A documentary by Susanta Biswas on establishing the first Small and Medium Forest Enterprise in India titled Artistic approach got selection for the 8th International Social Communication Cinema Conference organised by Roopkala Kendro, Department of Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in collaboration with Nandan, West Bengal Film Centre. The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, a nodal centre under the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India has produced the documentary.

Artistic approach is directed by Susanta Biswas. He has also written the script of the documentary. Susanta has made several documentaries on different subjects like ‘river training project’, ‘ganga erosion’, ‘right of sex-workers’, ‘new concept in forest management’, ‘participation of women in afforestation’ etc.

The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University under the eleventh plan is promoting Small and Medium Forest Enterprise pilot projects to enhance the rural income and ensure rural development of the forest fringe villages and save forest for national interest in return. The centre has motivated, trained and sensitized nearly 1000 tribal men and women in Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency forming about 100 self-help groups. Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency includes nine Joint Forest Management Committees namely Mejogora, Harina, Narayanpur, Roteda, Dhengam, Bhukamdih, Kundrukocha, Ranikudar and Monahdih consisting of 20 villages at Potka Developmental Block in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand. It is situated at a distance of about 60 km to the south of Tatanagar, the industrial city of Jamshedpur. The tribal villagers of this forest fringe area are either small or marginal farmers which cause their dependence on forest for fuel wood, fodder and part of livelihood.

The screening of Artistic approach will be on February 19, 2009, Thursday between 6 and 9 pm at Nandan as a part of the social communication conference on cinema. Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurated the eighth International Social Communication Cinema Conference 2009 at Nandan on last Sunday, February 19, 2009. Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, Director and CEO Roopkala Kendra, said this event will help bring mass awareness on social developments across the globe, over the years. He asserted that the entry to the shows will be free of cost as the motto is to convey message in the society through screening of the movies.