LI-BIRDko Chautari: Contact LI-BIRDko Chautari

Radio Programme 'LI-BIRDko Chautari'

Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD)

P.O. Box 324, Gairapatan, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Tel.: +977-61-535357/526834, Fax: +977-61-539956
E-mail: info@libird.org
Website: www.libird.org

LI-BIRDko Chautari - a participatory radio magazine

REGIONS:

Global and South Asia

PROGRAMME SUMMARY:

In October, 2001, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) initiated a rural participatory radio programme that focuses on biodiversity-related issues. The word 'Chautari' means "a resting-place under the shade of a tree" - usually the Ficus religiosa bengalensis, where social, cultural, and religious information of value is exchanged. The programme is meant to complement the government's agricultural radio programmes.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGY:

The programme uses materials generated by participatory methods of collecting local knowledge and practices generated from farming communities. Technologies developed by the farming community, as well as the research outputs of university and research stations, are also used. So, the programme format is in Participatory Radio Magazine.

This radio programme is part of a wider package of efforts to increase local awareness about the importance of agro-biodiversity. These efforts include sharing the methods and approaches developed in the project activities at local, national, and international levels. Local content is shared at festivals, rituals, and dances, as well as through publications, posters, video films, and TV programmes. These approaches are rooted in local culture and customs, but are communicated with tools that have been adapted to suit the purpose of biodiversity conservation.

Farming communities are encouraged to provide suggestions and feedback. Prizes for the best questions and suggestions and the correct answers given for the week have been introduced to create interest and motivation among young listeners. Winners are awarded portable FM radio each week to encourage people to make use of this communication device.

DEVELOPMENT ISSUES:

Biodiversity, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resource Management.

KEY POINTS:

Campaigns to raise public awareness about the value of sustaining biodiversity in Nepal have included formal meetings, orientation training, personal contacts with key people, and project information in the form of flyers in the community's vernacular language. Despite these efforts, programme organisers noted that the intended messages were not reaching key members of farming communities, particularly women and children.

Nineteen radio episodes have aired. Organisers claim that, as a result, there has been increased public awareness of biodiversity issues in the Pokhara valley; increased direct sharing of new findings and information with target communities; common forums for panel discussions between the farming community and high level policy makers; the integration of biodiversity education with traditional culture and literature; the bringing together of various stakeholders into common communication links; the documentation of value of local biodiversity; and the provision of feedback to local level conservation and development agencies.

Partners

LI-BIRD and Radio Taranga

Contact

LI-BIRD
P.O. Box 324, Pokhara, Nepal
Tel: (977)-61-535357/526834
Fax: (977)-61-539956
E-mail: info@libird.org
Website: www.libird.org

Chautari Pages

Contact LI-BIRDko Chautari