Mission Conservation
SERIES FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL - 10 x 30-minutes

Mission Conservation is an innovative television series that connects viewers to the pulse of the planet by offering rare access and in-depth reporting on the state of the natural world by focusing on people who are working to study, protect and preserve natural life on our planet. The series covers the work of a broad alliance of scientists, activists and conservationists who are working against all odds to preserve various species. The series generates a sophisticated world view that goes beyond the typical nature program. "Mission Conservation" engages with stories of survival, and curiosity. This is a look at the human relationship with nature, highlighting breakthrough science that offers real hope for the future. We tell the story of our planet from the vantage of those who have traversed its passageways, probed its scientific mysteries and long advocated for its protection. The series has unique access to experts and activists who have pioneered research and conservation in India. Our segments show different aspects of Mission Conservation that go is on in labs, in jungles and in villages of India and Nepal.

Cranes, Peacocks & Bats
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 604

Sarus crane is the world's tallest flying bird, standing over five feet tall at maturity. The only resident crane species of Nepal, Grus antigone is listed on the IUCN red list, and was recommended to be listed as an endangered species. In 1989 survey only 75 cranes were counted in Nepal. The primary cause for the decline - pesticide poisoning, developmental activities like random construction of roads, industries and human persecution - egg stealing, chick capturing and hunting . But now the birthplace of Buddha has become the foremost area for conservation due to attempt by activist to convince people that Buddha loved cranes . Peacocks :The peacock, India's national bird, may be on the brink of extinction. Farmers use Chloropyriphos and Endosulfan to battle termites. After munching seeds treated with these insecticides, male peacocks have been seen falling from trees, unable to fly. In an attempt to prevent extinction.. one village is trying its best Morena district takes its name from the Hindi word for peacock, Mayur . Home to thousands of peacocks. Bats of Chitracoot: Another conservation success is the Wroughton's freetailed Bats. Right inside the Chitrakoot Caves… the holy shrine that was the resting place of the Hindu God Ram. During his exile , he is said to have rested near the source of river Mandakini . Hidden amidst thick Sal forests and at the source of under water springs , the dark and damp caves are a perfect roosting site for the bats who have been evicted from everywhere else and now are on the brink of extinction in India .But here at Chirtakoot the bats don't only survive they thrive …..they are worshipped as the as the most ardent devotees and watchmen of the Lords shrine ….praying to lord Ram with their folded wings ….. through the night …..

Bishnoi, Elephant Rehablitation & Ghariyal
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 605

The Bishnois are a clan that lives in the Thar desert who worship nature and protect all animal and plant life. They worship trees , protect all wild animals and take from the forest only as much firewood as they require for a day. Felling of trees or hunting is punishable under their laws.They also believe that in their afterlife they will be reincarnated as deers, which could be the reason why herds of deers are never too far from their fields. In fact it is common to see wild deers get into the Bishnoi huts and be fed by children. The indian Forest department has frequently used help given by Bishnois to nab paochers in Rathambhor and Sariska sanctuary. WTI's Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) rescues young animals who are lost during floods , treats injuries that are attacked by villagers and restors these young animals to the wild. The first of it's kind animal orphanage in India that takes care of abandoned or separated elephant and rhino calves . These large and endangered species are then released into the wild. The ghariyals seem to be making a slow comeback . Habitat loss and disturbances, lack of strict enforcement of existing laws, entrapment in nylon nets , construction of reservoirs and barrage had led to a terrible crash in the population of the endemic long snouted crocodile of Nepal . Intrusion in Ghariyal's habitat, and poaching of eggs by the local people for medicine and food added to the crisis . Collectively, these factors have resulted in the gharial becoming one of the rarest and most endangered crocodilians in Nepal. Now serious efforts are on to breed them in captivity and release juvenile babies in the wild so that the population can revive.

Gibbons & Monkey Charming
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 606

Tracking the Hoolock Gibbon, the behavior and habits of this charismatic creature in the spectacular setting in the heart of India's North East…The North East of India is unexplored wilderness. Lush forests with predominantly tribal clans … even tourists need special permits to enter . As a result few people come here , leaving the hills untouched . We meet the endangered hoolock gibbon… No one has filmed the gibbon out here other than our researcher Dr. Alfred - former head of the Zoological survey of India. He takes us to see what ordinary people could only dream of ….we see the main gibbon territories and the different social groups, the hierarchies amongst these animals , the alpha male holding paternity over most of the young and teaching them ancient route of their ancestors . Little is known of these elusive primates which is why research is crucial to our understanding our ancestral relatives. Population of Rhesus macaques in wild have seen a huge drop due to people kidnapping babies in a brutal bid to make money. These monkeys are then trained to dance and smoke for jeering tourists or even steal - used as thieves and pickpockets the monkeys have a sad life. Out of the wild they are thrown into a humanized existence - fed on chapattis, drinking alcohol and chained to their master. Snehal Bhutt has seen it all and is now rescuing the monkeys and returning them to their rightful home - the wild. 

Paradise in Periyar
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 607

The Periyar Tiger reserve in the southern Indian state of Kerala is one the richest wild life sanctuaries in India. Its tropical rain forests have been home to elephants, lion tailed macaques, malabar squirrel , more than 315 bird species and almost 2000 species of flowering plants. But it is also been the domain of some of the most notorious poachers who have plundered the sandal wood forests, killed a large number of animals and felled innumerable trees for timber . But then things changed…The Kerala forest department and World Bank embarked on a unique eco tourism project, which helped these notorious poachers to become tourist guides and protectors of the forests. The "Periyar Tiger Trail" as it is called, has become immensely successful since it puts the task of conservation on the shoulders of these former poachers . Today there are 22 reformed poachers working as eco-tour guides. They take the tourists on an adventure trek in the forests, acquainting them with the rich flora and fauna as well as pitch tents and cook food for them. Their unique knowledge of every nook and corner of the jungle make them invaluable guides. These reformed poachers are now the eyes and ears of the forest department in combating poaching. They provide crucial information about poaching to the authorities and have also physically intervened at considerable personal peril. 

Birds of Delhi
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 608

Sky wars is a fierce clash …between predators and the prey. Small birds are one of nature's most important pollinators and insectivores . Birds like Parrots, pigeons and sparrows are fast loosing the number game, the survival tactics and their freedom to fly free while crow and kite population is booming . It's a battle that is unfolding right in front of our eyes in our parks, on our rooftops and pavements. Answers lie within a complex puzzle. 

Lion Story
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 609

Ten thousand years ago lions spanned vast sections of the globe. Now lions hold only a small fraction of their former habitat, and Asiatic lions, a subspecies that split from African lions perhaps 100,000 years ago, hang on to an almost impossibly small slice of their former domain. India is the proud steward of these 300 or so lions, which live primarily in a 560-square-mile (1,450-square-kilometer) sanctuary. Gir has as many lions as it can hold-too many, in fact. With territory in short supply, lions prowl the periphery of the forest and even leave it altogether, often clashing with people. In 1994 canine distemper killed more than a third of Africa's Serengeti lions-a thousand animals-a fate that could easily befall Gir's cats. These lions, saved by a prince at the turn of the 20th century, are especially vulnerable to disease because they descend from as few as a dozen individuals. "If you do a DNA fingerprint, Asiatic lions actually look like identical twins," says Stephen O'Brien, a geneticist who has studied them.

A Radar on Rhino
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 610

Recently concluded Rhino Count 2005 in the Royal Chitwan National Park showed that 101 rhinos were poached between 2000 and March 5, 2005. The park has been the home of the most of the Asiatic rhinos found in Nepal and had a quarter of South Asia's entire rhino population. With the security forces busy with Maoists … poachers had a run of the sanctuary .This count has given a jolt to Nepal's success story in rhino conservation, which has been a matter of pride for Nepali conservationists for years.

Estuarine Crocodiles of Orissa
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 612

It was india's most successful conservation project for the estuarine crocodile, until it went horribly wrong… Deep in the mangrove forests of bhittarkanika - scientists tried to save the critically endangerd salt water crocodiles by rearing and releasing them in the local rivers. Crocodiles bred from 13 to 3000... but this rare ecological success has become a nightmare for the people 400 villages around this area . Thirty people have died gory deaths after being pulled in by crocodiles who lurk in the murky rivulets ... There is a rising tide of anger among the villagers who want to exterminatate the crocs.... A story of man animal conflict and conservation dilemmas.

Rogue of Kaziranga
30-minutes, 2007
Ref: 613

The Rogue of Kaziranga is on the prowl. Five are already dead. The hapless forest authorities have passed the sentence. The hangman is summoned.Dinesh is the fabled elephant hunter of Assam. He has an unblemished record. Never yet failing a hunt. Dinesh is also a well-known elephant activist. He has two pet elephants. Sounds irreconcilable. Not really. Just as paradoxical as the idea of the gentle pachyderms turning on humans in murderous fury under the influence of rice toddy. Close association with the giants since infancy has given Dinesh a rare insight into the elephant's psyche. He shares a unique bond with them. They understand each other. So when a rogue elephant in Assam goes on a killing spree the elephant doctor is called in. The little man multiplies manifold in stature when faced with a crazed elephant. He either calms the beast in submission or puts it down. But this rogue is not an easy target . He is a puzzle - an enigma Who is he and why is he targeting the humans . As Dinesh gropes for answers - a terrible dance of death continues in the grasslands of Kaziranga.