MUMBAI: For the fourth time, an endangered wildlife species has been given protection by the Government, thanks to a documentary film by the renowned filmmaker Mike Pandey.
Following the persistent efforts following the film, Timeless Traveler- the horseshoe Crab, believed to be the oldest living being on earth (reportedly older than the dinosaurs), has been put under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Act. This means that it can be used for research but cannot be killed or poached by anyone including private collectors.
The crab has been considered important to humanity as scientists want to know how it has survived for millions of years.
Timeless Traveller - the horseshoe crab was made by a team of young filmmakers like Gautam Pandey, Arjun Pandey and Doel Trivedy and produced by Mike‘s production house.
The documentary was awarded two prestigious international awards at the Albert Festival in 2005: the ‘Best Film for Protection Of Wildlife‘ award and the ‘Best Film for Protection Of Marine Life.‘
Earlier, Mike‘s films on wild elephants The Last Migration - Wild Elephant Capture in Sarguja in 1994, on whale sharks Shores of Silence - Whale Sharks in India and on vultures Broken Wings had led the government to act to protect these species.
Recently, the ‘Time‘ magazine listed him at the third place in its list of Environment Heroes of the Twentieth Century.
