Gekko Studio Films on FreedomFilmFest 2008

The Indigenous People of Knasaimos
* Director: Ritzki Sigit/ Nanang Sujana
* Duration: 32m
* Country: Indonesia
* Languages: BI,Eng
* Official Website: www.gekkovoices.com
* Film link: http://blog.gekkovoices.com/indigenous-people-of-knasaimos.html

At present Indonesian forests are in a very dangerous situation due to massive exploitation that has happened in the past couple of years. Every year, areas as big as three times the island of Bali are being destroyed. On the other hand there is still hope, especially in the ancestral forests that are being managed by the indigenous people. Forests for them mean not only the number of standing stock, but it is related to their religion, wisdoms and many other kinds of socio-cultural aspects.


Voices From The Forest (2007)
* Director: Gekko Studio/Dusty Foot Production
* Country: India
* Official Website: www.gekkovoices.com
* Film link: http://blog.gekkovoices.com/voices-from-forest-in-india.html

Non-timber forest produce (NTFP) spell a critical source of income for indigeneus people and forest-dwelling communities, who are among the poorest of the poor. Not only do the NTFPs play a crucial role in the livelihood of these people, but from a key incentive to conserving the forest of India. Moreover NTFPs are woven in with the social and cultural fabric of the communities.

Communities are working hand in hand with grassroot non-government groups, traders, and government to address the challenges posed by low productivity, lack of tecnology, irrational NTFP law, and wide-scale contract based extraction. Over the years of hard work, inroads are being made. Community-based conservation, management, value addition, and marketing of NTFPs are being successfuly practiced. Honey, mahua, resin, amla, sal leaf, and the thousands of other NTFP species will continue to flourish and play its role in the lives of communities today and in the future.

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