Posted on August, 29 2019

Hariyo Ban Program in coordination with Nature Media Network and Sancharika Samuha provided training to 270 women journalists on curbing environmental crimes with specific focus on wildlife crime reporting in all seven provinces of Nepal. The training was conducted between 19 July to 29 August 2019.

Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province Honorable Mr. Bikash Lamsal, Principal Secretary of Karnali Province Mr. Kewal Bhandari and Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Dr. Chiranjibi Nepal shed light on important roles the journalists play in curbing wildlife crime in Nepal during the events.

Ex-Director General of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Mr. Shyam Sundar Bajimaya, Superintendent of Police Mr. Pravin Pokharel, Chief Warden of Chitwan National Park Mr. Bed Kumar Dhakal, Assistant Warden of Banke National Park Mr. Bishnu Thapaliya and representatives from District Forest Offices were among the facilitators of the training sessions. The program design consisted of four sessions: sharing and learning about environmental/wildlife crime, curbing illegal wildlife trade in Nepal, tips for writing environmental/wildlife crime stories with respect to national and international practices and role of women journalists in controlling wildlife crime and environmental crime.

With the completion of the trainings, the journalists have already started covering news related to wildlife crime in all major news outlets of Nepal. The program has also provided a platform for women journalists to establish and strengthen professional network and to explore opportunities on wildlife reporting, along with developing mitigating strategies with regards to threats and challenges that comes with reporting on wildlife crimes.

The 10 districts covered during the program included Tanahun, Kaski, Surkhet, Banke, Kailali, Chitwan, Parsa, Rupandehi, Morang and Kathmandu. Beside the women journalists working in those 10 districts, women journalists from Dadeldhura, Achham, Bajura, Dang, Kapilbastu, Syanga, Lamjung, Gorkha, Sunsari and Jhapa were also trained on the subject. Women journalists working in national media as well as local media actively participated in the events.