March 10 – Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ organized a media orientation workshop to discuss about the environmental issues of Seti river basin in Pokhara.
During the workshop, senior journalist Narayan Wagle emphasized on the importance of environmental reporting in today’s age and time. He added that journalism should not become like one way teaching by teachers to the students but it should include opinion sharing between the journalists and the recipients.” The workshop was organized with the support from WWFHariyo Ban Program. Individuals from different sectors, teachers, students and media persons had participated in the workshop. There is a space called ‘Readers Forum’ in the newspapers that gives an opportunity to the readers to express themselves. But the problem is that the readers often think that they cannot write in the newspapers as they feel that they are less knowledgeable than the reporters,” he pointed out. Journalism will only be complete when readers give their opinions, as there will be a two-way communication only then, he said.
The main objective of the workshop was to give an orientation about the issues of the Seti River Basin to the participants. Ramesh Bhushal from NEFEJ highlighted the need of the workshop while also emphasizing that people ought to be concerned about the global environmental affairs. Furthermore, he added that all the development that we are seeing today is the result of the modern era development taken place in the last 250 years after the invention of engine. “We will be amazed to know that the humans have made all those changes that have occurred in the earth, he said. He warned that if we do not do anything now, the earth could go through irreversible changes,” he added.
Professor Devendra Lamichhane warned that Pokhara would turn into a ghost city if lakes dry up. “Pokhara will completely lose its beauty and its opportunities for eco tourism in the area if that happens. So conserving both the Seti river basin and its constituting lakes should be given a priority,” Lamichhane said.Senior journalist Badri Binod Pratik said that plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental issues in Pokhara.
DipendraShrestha, President of FNJ Kaski expressed that the workshop has brought together mediaperson]s, students and teachers and given them an opportunity to develop their capacity to raise voices regarding environmental issues. He added that these programs should be organized in the future as well.
