Helping
young people see green
By Esther Williams
Our aim is to turn young people into environmental activists,"
says Shani Jayawardena, Supervising Producer of YATV. Detailing
the environmental abuse we see all around us, she says that
we cannot just blame the government, the previous government
or  our
neighbours and do nothing about it.
Many people
care about the environment but how many of us do something
to protect it?
Through
their programmes, YATV intends to change the attitude of young
people. Not only should they understand and acknowledge environmental
problems but also be concerned enough to approach the relevant
authorities to take action. In other words, it should be a
personal battle for them.
Having
started the Mihisara, a weekly television programme in the
Sinhala language, a year and a half ago, YATV focuses on environmental
issues and illustrates them with examples, presenting reports
of other nations / regions in the Sri Lankan context. Working
closely with environmental groups and academics within Sri
Lanka and abroad, the programme is produced in four different
formats for the four weeks of the month.
A recent
introduction is the Mihisara Esa which is a documentary style
production, investigating key environmental issues in the
country. The human elephant conflict, GM foods, tourism and
environment and the impact of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict
on the environment are some of the issues that will be tackled
from the Sri Lankan perspective.
Mihisara's
star presenter is Narada Bakmeewewa of Rasa Risi Gee fame
who is also the producer of the programme that is aired during
prime broadcast time on national television. It has drawn
a huge audience of children and students who are interested
in environment. Together with Tharindi Fonseka, his co-presenter,
serious issues are presented in a manner that entertains and
informs, combining creative television production with serious
content.
"Politicians
are the main reason for many problems like pollution,"
Narada declares. "They are responsible for deforestation,
industrialisation and unplanned development. It is left to
us people to influence the politicians through our votes,"
he remarks, revealing his deep concern and involvement in
environmental issues.
Mihisara
Explorer, their on-going programme takes viewers to various
locations in Sri Lanka, highlighting our natural resources,
biodiversity and the need to protect them. While illustrating
the threat owing to human activity, it also reveals the sincere
efforts of a few individuals to live alternative lifestyles,
by the principles of nature.
Other
programmes in the Mihisara series are - the Mihisara Magazine,
a 1/2 hour documentary that lays focus on themes such as consumerism,
mining, urbanisation, river eco-systems, animal rights, ozone
depletion, etc., and Puvath Mihisara, their news bulletin
that combines current news, investigative reports and interviews
with key persons such as environmental journalists, lawyers,
representatives from political parties and animal rights activists.
It also explores web sites related to this subject.
The Mihisara web site: www.mihisara.com has been designed
by Denuwan Wijewardena in both Sinhala and English providing
graphics and information on topics researched. Other features
are the On-line Guest Book, E-Club Membership, Mail bag and
Notice Board for environmental activities, all of which are
updated on a weekly basis.
The Mihisara
Club, a media initiative at networking, now has almost 2000
members. Networking with other environmental groups club members
are better equipped to protect the environment from abuse.
|
