Article 21 Oct, 2024

Penning a greener future: Training environmental journalists in Pakistan

A two-day training workshop for environmental journalists was conducted in Karachi and Sonmiani, Pakistan, followed by an exposure visit to the Ramsar site of Miani Hor. The training aimed to equip reporters with the tools and knowledge needed to cover pressing environmental issues.


On Day 1, participants gathered in Karachi for an in-depth session on environmental journalism. The day included lectures by experts on climate change and ecosystem conservation. Journalists were introduced to the latest technologies used in reporting, including  data-driven tools, social media and multimedia platforms. Senior environmental journalists also shared insights from their field experience, engaging in meaningful knowledge exchange with the participants.

The training was organised under the project "Building Resilience in Coastal Ecological and Social Systems of Pakistan," funded by the Prince Albert II Foundation and implemented by IUCN Pakistan, focusing on community-led conservation efforts. The project aims to enhance and restore biodiversity by protecting mangroves and creating marine protected areas, along with other conservation initiatives.

Mr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan, commenced the workshop by stating that the engagement with the journalist community serves as the backbone of conservation efforts of IUCN Pakistan and the promotion of environmental journalism.

Mr Hammad Saeed, Communications Manager at IUCN Pakistan, termed this training workshop as an essential tool for enhancing conservation reporting. He emphasised that the media plays a pivotal role in not only raising awareness but also inspiring concrete actions to safeguard ecosystems.

Ms Afia Salam, a renowned environmental expert, engaged closely with the journalists, stressed the importance of climate change and its opportunities for environmental journalism. She actively reflected on IUCN’s conservation efforts both during the workshop and on-site, explaining how the Miani mangrove conservation serves as a global example of an effective community-driven initiative.

Ms Shabina Faraz, a media trainer, encouraged participants to find unique stories in their surroundings, noting that: " Stories are all around us, and it's our responsibility as journalists to uncover and share them."

Mr Asif Sandeelo, a PhD scholar, shared insights on effective storytelling, stating: "By focusing on coastal communities and their interactions with the environment, we can bring attention to the issues they face and highlight their resilience."

Mr Naveed Soomro, Manager for Sindh Programme at IUCN Pakistan, emphasised the importance of Miani Hor and highlighted IUCN's initiatives, including the designation of Churna and Astola Islands as Marine Protected Areas through dedicated conservation efforts. He noted that "IUCN is committed to the 30x30 target for protecting biodiversity, and this conservation effort cannot be achieved without the support of the journalist community. Your role in raising awareness and promoting these initiatives is fundamental for our success.”

Day 2 took the journalists to Miani Hor, a Ramsar site known for its rich mangrove ecosystem for an exposure visit and to observe the World Migratory Bird Day. The site is the only coastal area in Pakistan where three species of mangroves (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal) occur naturally. It is important for large concentrations of waterbirds, smaller fish, shrimp and crabs.

The group was introduced to a 2,000-acre mangrove conservation success story in Balochistan, achieved through community-driven initiatives led by IUCN Pakistan. The group learned about migratory birds along the coastal belt, which forms part of the Indus Flyway. They also explored the ecological significance of mangroves, which play a key role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity support. Experts highlighted the importance of conserving this fragile ecosystem while discussing the growing challenges faced by local coastal communities, such as rising sea levels, pollution, and the loss of livelihoods. The field visit provided the journalists with first-hand exposure to the interconnectedness of environmental issues and human well-being.

This training workshop not only strengthened the collaboration between IUCN Pakistan and the journalist community from the Sindh and Balochistan provinces, but also underscored the vital role of effective storytelling in promoting environmental conservation and raising awareness about the need to protect protecting Pakistan’s coastal ecosystems.