Street Play On Whale Shark Starts A Ripple

November 29, 2007

Release from: Press Trust Of India

The campaign against the killing of whale shark launched in February by the Wildlife Trust of India and the International Fund for Animal Welfare has started making waves in coastal towns of Gujarat .

The first ripples appeared with the launch of a street play with a message on protecting the whale shark on the International Theatre Day in Mithapur, Gujarat on March 27. The performers traveled along the coast of Gujarat and staged 16 performances in 12 towns. The group carried the play through major fishing harbours and ports, such as Beyt Dwarka, Somnath, Veraval, and Okha. The series of performances culminated in Diu on April 2.

The play was conceptualised to spread awareness and build sensitivity among the fishing community on the coast of Gujarat about whale sharks.

The story touched popular sentiment because it carried forth the message of the immensely popular spiritual leader, Morari Bapu who formally launched the campaign in Gujarat as an ambassador for the whale shark.

In his address at the launch of the campaign, Morari Bapu likened the whale shark visiting the shores of Gujarat to a daughter visiting her parents and said, it was indeed sad that fishermen hunted this gentle giant instead of protecting it and creating an environment conducive for it to breed.