Under the programme, a total of seven fellowships worth Rs. 6 lakhs each will be awarded to young environment filmmakers to make documentaries on wildlife crime.

Also coming to India in January 2007 will be the world's largest and most prestigious wildlife and environmental film festival, "Wildscreen".

Making the announcements here, British High Commissioner Michael Arthur said: "We are strongly committed to environmental issues. Climate change is one of the biggest global problems we face. As a first step towards raising awareness about this global challenge, we invited young Indian filmmakers under the UK Environment Film Fellowships to document the impact of climate change in India. Through this collaborative endeavour with young Indian filmmakers, we hope to address the larger issues of conservation of some of the world's rare species."

Three-time Green Oscar (Wildscreen Panda Award) winner and leading environment filmmaker Mike Pandey said: "Wildscreen coming to India is the best news I've heard for a long time. It will help ignite young minds and hearts and people across the country. Wildscreen will bring a collection of the best wildlife and environmental films from across the world. There is an urgent need for such value-based and powerful environmental films that address the present global concerns. This is what India needs, films that empower and motivate young minds."

Four films on the impact of climatic change in India produced previously as part of the UK Environment Film Fellowships 2005 include "Climate's First Orphans" by Nila Madhab Panda and "A Degree of Concern" by Syed Fayaz. -- Bindu Shajan Perappadan