Climate Talks: Beautiful Stories of the Forest, Hope & Survival
Film, forest stories, new faces, and conversations over snacks—Climate Talks turned out to be more than just an evening about climate change and climate action.
On 8th October 2026, I attended Climate Talks at Cogent Studios with Avnee Kokatay, founder of Green Pistachio. I expected a fairly formal evening centred around climate discussions, but the experience turned out to be much more welcoming and interactive than I had imagined.
One of the first things that stood out was the warm welcome we received. Harshvardhan sir, the co-founder of Planet Pact, greeted us and offered us coffee and a gluten-free ragi cookie. It was a small gesture, but it made the space feel comfortable right from the start.
Into The Forest: Whispers In The Rain
The evening started with a screening of “Whispers in the Rain”, a documentary produced by Amit Banka and Vana Bhashi. The pilot episode took us to Amboli, a biodiversity hotspot in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats, where every year the monsoon transforms the forest into mist, heavy rain, and the calls of amphibians.
But the screening was about more than beautiful forest visuals. It also brought attention to the naturalists who spend their time exploring, documenting, and helping conserve the region’s biodiversity. Their work often involves patience, curiosity, and spending long hours in the field to capture moments that most of us might never get to witness.
The screening of the film was followed by the usual climate conversations.
The first speaker, Vikram Vyawahare, shared how he came across the people featured in the film and spoke about the many treks he undertook to capture the right shots. Hearing about the effort behind the footage added another layer to the experience. Some of the species they encountered may be new to science, while others may have remained overlooked despite being part of the forest all along.
It was a reminder that the stories we see on screen involve a lot of work behind the scenes.
Beyond the Screens: Stories of Conservation
The conversations that followed brought in different perspectives on conservation and the challenges of living alongside wildlife.
The second speaker, Pratiksha Kothule, from Raah Foundation, shed light on why leopards are increasingly entering human settlements and the work being done to address human-wildlife conflict. It was an important reminder that conservation is not just about protecting animals; it also involves understanding the people who live alongside them, creating awareness, and finding ways for both to coexist.
We also heard from Rohan Korgaonkar, a Founder Member of the Malabar Nature Conservation Club and one of the film’s protagonists. In a conversation with Harshvardhan, he shared insights on the forests of Amboli, rising temperatures, and the differences in how people experience and respond to climate concerns in forest areas versus urban settings.
What stood out to me was how the discussion connected environmental issues to real people and their everyday experiences. Climate change can sometimes feel like an overwhelming subject, but these stories made it easier to understand why it matters and why awareness needs to go beyond just talking about it.
Where Conversations Turned into Connections!
After the screening and discussions, the evening moved into a more relaxed networking session with vada pav making an appearance, of course!
There were people from different organisations, including founders and professionals working in different fields. Avnee and I also connected with fellow eco-warriors and introduced them to Green Pistachio and our work.
That was one of my favourite parts of the evening. Networking can sound intimidating when you imagine having to approach strangers and talk about yourself or your work. But sometimes, it starts with a simple conversation and a little curiosity about the person standing in front of you.
More Than Just a Talk
What I expected to be a formal evening turned out to be much more interactive and welcoming. From watching Whispers in the Rain to hearing different perspectives on conservation, the evening was a reminder that climate conversations don’t always have to feel serious or intimidating.
Sometimes, a film, an open discussion, and a few conversations over vada pav and some fabulous homemade cookies are enough to get people talking and rallying around a cause that’s on all our minds.
About the Author
Joyce D’Souza is a BMS student and Marketing & Sales intern at Green Pistachio. She loves exploring new ideas, creating and understanding different perspectives.
For her, sustainability is about being conscious of the choices we make and the impact they leave behind. It’s about staying curious and being open to better ways of living.
