New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS): The eighth edition of the environment and wildlife film festival, CMS Vatavaran, beginning here on October 9, will focus on conservation of water bodies, organisers said on Monday.

Spanning five days, the fest will screen 74 Indian and international films at the NDMC Convention Centre.

Supported by the ministry of environment, forests and climate change, the theme for the eighth competitive edition is 'Water for Life', with a special focus on conserving water bodies.

In addition to films, forums on critical water issues, panorama of international film festivals, workshops on filmmaking, exhibitions, green haat and much more will be held, the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) said in a statement.

"Kaun Kitney Paani Mein" by Nila Madhab Panda and "Aisa Yeh Jahaan" by Biswajeet Bora will have special screenings, while other attractions include an exhibition of wild foods by adivasi and organic farmers from six states.

"It seeks to mark the inter-connectedness of water and life and raise concern over the rapidly deteriorating condition of our water bodies.

"The fact that India has just four percent of the world's fresh water, but 16 percent of the global population is reason enough to begin a serious discussion on proper and effective water management and conservation," the statement said.