The epic science fiction film “Avatar,” is directed by James Cameron and was released in the year 2009. It explores the concept of conservation of wildlife and the relationship between humans and nature. The film is set in 2154 and follows a disabled Marine named Jake Sully who is assigned a mission to the distant planet of Pandora. Jake’s mission is to gain the trust of the Na’vi, a humanoid species that lives on the planet, and to assist the military force that has invaded Pandora in order to exploit its natural resources. The movie’s central theme is based on the protection, conservation of nature and how we humans need to become more sensitised towards nature and try to connect, respect and understand it on a deeper level.
In the movie, the Na’vi are depicted as beings living in harmony with nature and having a deep understanding of the ecosystem where they understand their responsibility as planet guardians who are intimately connected to the wildlife that inhabits it. This understanding is shown in the movie’s most memorable moments , when Neytiri, a Na’vi warrior, tells Jake, “All energy is only borrowed, and one day you have to give it back.” This quote encapsulates the Na’vi’s consideration for the environment, as well as the notion that humans must accept responsibility for the resources they consume and the impact they have on the planet.
The idea that all life is interconnected, that everything on this planet is part of a delicate, intricate web of relationships that must be respected and protected, is one of the core messages of Avatar. This is beautifully illustrated in the film’s stunning depictions of Pandora’s world, where plant and animal life coexist in a magnificent array of colours and forms. Every last element of this world, from the majestic Hometree to the luminous Na’vi people, is a testament to the power and splendour of Mother Nature.
Also, Avatar emphasises the devastation that humans can cause the ecosystem when they seek their own interests without taking into account the repercussions. The humans in the film are portrayed as ignorant, covetous, shortsighted, and highly destructive, who are ready to pillage the very world they want to exploit in order to achieve their own purposes.
The film brilliantly treads on the concept of planet and wildlife colonisation of Pandora by the humans. It brings forward the tyrannical nature of the humans and how they tried to suppress the entire planet’s will and freedom by means of force. Just like how the British monarch lashed their greed on India, to exploit its abundant riches, humans tried to do the same to the Na’vi people through means of manipulation and oppression.
The film depicts how humans can have a negative impact on the environment when they prioritise their own interests over the well-being of the ecosystem. It depicts this through the actions of the military force that has invaded Pandora who are only interested in extracting a valuable mineral known as unobtainium from the planet, no matter the consequences. They are depicted as ruthless and callous, willing to destroy the environment and the Na’vi way of life in order to achieve their objectives. One of the most powerful scenes in the film is when Colonel Quaritch, the military leader, orders his troops to destroy the Home Tree, the Na’vi’s spiritual centre and the tree they worship and revere as their god.. This scene perfectly illustrates the devastation that humans can inflict on the environment when they prioritise profit.
The film also discusses biodiversity loss and the importance of preserving the diversity of species that inhabit the planet. The Na’vi are portrayed as the custodians of biodiversity who have a deep admiration for the wildlife that inhabits Pandora. One of the most memorable movie scenes that exemplifies this is when Neytiri tells Jake that the animal who was hunting him did not need to die, if he only paid attention to and understood it. She tells him he doesn’t have to thank her for killing the animal as killing unnecessarily is not what the Na’vi do and that his way of thinking is wrong. “You are like a baby. Making noise, don’t know what to do.”
This quote encapsulates the Na’vi’s understanding of the interconnectedness of all life on the planet, as well as the importance of protecting and preserving biodiversity.
The movie spotlights the ignorant nature and violent tendencies of human greed through the lines spoken by Neytri, “our great mother does not take sides, Jake; she protects the balance of life”. As humans think of themselves as the most intelligent life on the planet, and believe themselves as the entitled population that have the ultimate right to all natural resources, these words of wisdom spoken by Neytri reminds and humbles the humans into acknowledging the fairness of mother nature and that all living and non -living elements of the planet are equally necessary for survival on Earth and that no species is the ultimate ruler or entitled to all its power and energy.
Also, one of the most moving scenes in the film is when Dr. Grace Augustine, the lead scientist studying the Na’vi, observes and states that the real wealth of the world is not the rich metals in the ground but the energy and life that flows in the environment. “The wealth of this world isn’t in the ground. It’s all around us. The Na’vi know that and they are fighting to defend it. If you want to share this world with them, you need to understand them.” But the military team of Colonel Quaritch do not pay heed to her words and prepares to rage war on Pandora and are intent to destroy, poison the people and wildlife if it means they will be able to extract Unobtainium from the planet.
The film’s message about wildlife conservation and environmental protection is pretty straightforward: we must learn to live in harmony with nature or risk destroying the very world that sustains us. This is iterated by Jake Sully when he says,“There’s no green there. They killed their Mother, and they’re gonna do the same here. More Sky People are gonna come. They’re gonna come like a rain that never ends.”. This line highlights the fact that humans have already exhausted their resources and destroyed their planet, and now they are on their way to repeat the same path of destruction and plunder the planet Pandora.
One of the most potent scenes in the film occurs near the end, when the Na’vi and their animal allies band together to defend their world from human invaders. And as the battle rages, we see Pandora’s animals fighting back against human machines and weapons, and we are reminded of nature’s immense power and resilience when allowed to flourish.
Avatar is a classic cinematic masterpiece that transports the viewers to a lush, magical world brimming with life and beauty. At its core, the film showcases powerful statements about the importance of wildlife conservation and environmental protection, which is a message that is now more relevant than ever.
Avatar is a spectacular filmmaking advancement, combining groundbreaking visuals with a powerful message about wildlife conservation and environmental protection. The film reminds us of the importance of honouring and safeguarding the natural world through its portrayals of Pandora and the Na’vi people, and warns us of the destructive impact that humans can have when they pursue their own interests without regard for the consequences. “I see you,” Jake Sully says, reminding us of the importance of seeing and appreciating the uniqueness and diversity of the world around us. Also, this film enlightens us on the fact that we can all learn to acknowledge and appreciate the natural world around us, to give it the due respect it deserves from humans and never belittle its creation or underestimate its power. As it is said that “the goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”