Nilgiris: A Collective Wilderness Showcasing India's Unique Species to the Globe

      Initially, director Sandesh Kadur envisioned his remarkable nature documentary, Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, as merely a YouTube video.

      “It was originally intended for schools,” Kadur mentioned during a recent screening of Nilgiris at the Woods Hole Film Festival. “However, as we began filming in this landscape, we encountered black panthers, great hornbills, and the rare salea lizard — all species that had not been properly documented before.”

      What started as a plan for a 20-minute video evolved into a 40-minute film, which ultimately grew to 75 minutes. Kadur presented a shorter version of the film for television to an engaged audience at Woods Hole. (You can watch it on Hulu, Disney+, or here.)

      Nilgiris, which translates to “blue mountains,” ranks among the most vibrant and unique locations globally. It is India’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where humans and wildlife regularly share the landscape. Both people and elephants must be cautious of one another.

      The documentary even captures an astonishing moment when a bear shatters a window of a house. That house belongs to the film’s producer, Rohini Nilekani, who funded the project with the intention of educating students about the region. It has ultimately reached a wide audience of inquisitive viewers.

      “We seldom receive such financial backing from philanthropists, and her support allowed us to enhance the film’s impact and make a difference in the area we documented,” Kadur explained.

      The production spanned two years, which Kadur considered “actually a relatively short duration for this type of nature documentary.” Having created numerous documentaries for the BBC and National Geographic, he noted that it’s common for a film to take three years.

      The film seeks to foster support for conservation and preservation efforts. Kadur emphasized that the filmmakers prioritized minimizing disturbance to the animals they filmed.

      “We are firmly rooted in the ethics of our approach,” he expressed. “We use long lenses and camera traps, which capture footage without our presence, ensuring minimal disruption to the wildlife.”

      He added, “To truly appreciate these animals, one must see them.”

      For more information about Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, visit here, and check out additional coverage of the Woods Hole Film Festival here.

      Main image: Nilgiris: A Shared Wilderness, courtesy of Woods Hole Film Festival.