Born into poverty, Budheswar Baro turned to illegal poaching at a young age in order to support his family. However, as him and several other poachers began to see the impact of their actions they offered a voluntary surrender and opted into volunteering to aid the preservation process. Realizing their potential, the group were granted the official title of “Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society” at the Manas National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site. The short documentary discusses the struggles and progress the heritage site has seen over the years, under the watchful eyes of Budheswar and his team.
“The Story of Budheswar” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Through reflections of Budheswar Baro, the short documentary tackles various points of interest. Speaking to both the desperate scenario that drove him into action he knew was morally wrong to the realization of the scope in which his trespassing on nature diminished the various flora and fauna. In this approach, the documentary is able to sheds light on the complexity of the issue – even past crimes from Baro are difficult to condemn when he was once faced with the choice of crime or starvation. There is an undeniable steady sense of tragedy in recalling the past that frames the entire documentary.
However, the predominate tone lies in optimism as the improvements at the MANAS National park shows improvement in leaps and bounds. This is the result of Baro and his team's tireless efforts to protect the land but also leaning towards educating younger generations on its importance. Adding an emotional edge to the story, Baro's insights reflect a great pride for his job, regret for past actions and wonderment at how much has been accomplished in preserving it. As the main focus, the ex-poacher is able to explain the different sides as well as act as an oral history on how the land has transformed over the decades.
Visually, the film mixes interviews, stock footage and scenic imagery to give a brief glimpse into the flow of life throughout the park. The production is also accompanied by a nice light score that compliments the serene visuals. Overall, the presentation is serviceable in that it accomplishes exactly what is needed to tell the story of Budheswar.
Informative and touching, “The Story of Budheswar” is a quick insight into the complexities of the poaching trade and the actions made to help correct it. As a 15-minute short, the production says a lot by focusing on the life of one remarkable man who has been on both sides – a poignant insight to those looking to better understands the struggles faced in combating illegal trade.
