2023
May the forest be with you
2016
SAVING INDIA’S CLOUD FORESTS
This short film was made by WeForest, one of the contributors to the forest restoration project in the Khasi Hills. It briefly describes the activities of the Synjuk in the project area to enable natural forest regeneration, women-run tree nurseries for tree planting, conversion to LP gas cooking, and outreach environmental education, etc. in order to reduce social pressure on the forest. (WeForest, Brussels, Belgium, 2016, 3.5 minutes).
2015
WHEN THE FOREST IS HOME
This film documents the ongoing success of India’s first forest carbon project in NE India. The project is implemented by the indigenous Khasi of Mawplang, Meghalaya. The Khasi have incorporated their traditional conservation beliefs to protect and manage their forests with modern forest management strategies. Through extensive outreach and training, they have educated the community and especially the youth to improve their natural resources and increase livelihood opportunities. The film was directed by acclaimed documentary film maker Ms. Minnie Vaid and produced by Community Forestry International. (Little Doc Productions, Mumbai, India, 2015, 25 minutes).
2015
TREKKING THROUGH HISTORY: MEGHALAYA’S DAVID SCOTT TRAIL
This short film takes you on a hike along a 14 km section of the historic David Scott Trail, constructed by the British in the 19 th century as a horse cart route to connect Meghalaya, Assam, and Bangladesh. The day-hike begins in Mawphlang village and ends in Lad Mawphlang going up and down with spectacular views and winding along the Umiam River, connecting the villages of Mawphlang and Sohra. It is one of the premier eco-tourism activities in the area and is a livelihood project of the indigenous Khasi, providing a kiosk at each end with an informative pamphlet, map of interesting sights along the trail, and guides if desired. The video was produced and directed by Ms. Minnie Vaid (Little Doc Productions, Mumbai, India, 2015, 4.5 minutes).
2014
RESTORING INDIA’S CLOUD FORESTS-KHASI HILLS COMMUNITY REDD+ PROJECT
This short video highlights the activities of the Khasi community in Mawphlang, eghalaya to mitigate forest deforestation through managing their forests and tree-planting activities while increasing livelihood through payments for ecological services (PES). Includes short interviews with Dr. Mark Poffenberger and Bah Tambor Lyngdoh. "The forests are starting to regenerate and the biodiversity along with them, so we're seeing some really remarkable results already and it's just been a few years." Produced by C-Level, UK. (C-Level, UK, 2014, 4 minutes).
2012
KHASI HILLS COMMUNITY CARBON PROJECT, NE INDIA
This short documentary summarizes the achievements of the indigenous Khasi community of Mawphlang to implement India’s 1 st community forest carbon project in NE India. This project is now registered and certified under the Plan Vivo, UK voluntary standard for carbon offset credits. CFI produced this video in order to introduce prospective carbon brokers and buyers to the project and the Khasi community and Ms. Minnie Vaid was the director (Little Doc Productions, Mumbai, India, 2012, 7.5 minutes).
2005
SACRED FORESTS OF MEGHALAYA: WISDOM FROM THE MOTHER'S HEARTH
This film documents the resurgence of sacred and community forests in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The film begins with a Khasi matriarch discussing the fundamental values of the culture and the challenges the society is currently facing as the outside world collides with indigenous community values. The story depicts traditions of forest protection that date back over 500 years, the important role forests play in Khasi culture, and how new grassroots initiatives are emerging to revitalize traditions that are under pressure from modernization, commercialization, and privatization. The film was produced by Community Forestry International and directed by Ms. Minnie Vaid. (Little Doc Productions, Mumbai, India, 2005, 43 minutes).
2004
WE HAVE A DREAM: HOW WOMEN’S SELF-HELP GROUPS ARE CHANGING THE FUTURE OF RURAL INDIA
This documentary film highlights the impact of several well-organized Women’s Self-Help Groups in Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. Although it is not about the Khasi project, it provides an inspiring example of indigenous women’s commitment to improve the lives of their villages and communities, ‘Slowly we got knowledge.’ The film was directed and produced by Ms. Minnie Vaid (Little Doc Productions, Mumbai, India, 2004, 36 minutes).
