LI-BIRD Ko Chautari Radio Programme - Nepal

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.

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.

Agriculture, Environment.

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.