Documentary Film ‘Boys from the Groves’ Screened in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A special screening of the documentary *‘Boys from the Groves’* was held at the Utkala Rangamancha Auditorium on Thursday. The 27-minute film chronicles the efforts of coastal conservationist Soumya Ranjan Biswal and the youth and women of Gundalaba village in Puri district, who are working to protect the marine ecosystem by planting mangroves along the Astaranga beach.

Directed by Snehasis Das, the documentary highlights the grassroots struggle to mitigate the effects of climate change, cyclones, tidal waves, and flooding through mangrove reforestation. It also features the role of Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan (OPSA), an initiative founded by Biswal, in restoring coastal resilience through community-led environmental action.

The screening was attended by Soumya Ranjan Biswal, director Snehasis Das, noted athlete Anuradha Biswal, and several other dignitaries. The script for the film was penned by Richard Mahapatra, with Bibhuprasad Mishra serving as associate editor.

In a special segment of the event, the book *‘Naali Cha’*, a screenplay of a film by Snehasis Das, was also unveiled.