BHUBANESWAR, AUG 27
The Wetlands for LiFE Media Students Engagement Programme, held on August 22-23 at the KIIT School of Mass Communication, brought together media professionals, environmental experts, and conservationists to explore the role of media in promoting wetland conservation.
Organised by the Centre for Media Studies (CMS) in collaboration with KIIT University, GIZ India, and other partners, the two-day workshop aimed to enhance the understanding and communication skills of media personnel regarding the importance of wetlands, with a particular focus on Chilika Lake, a vital ecosystem in Odisha.
The inaugural session featured distinguished speakers, including RN Samal, Senior Scientific Officer at the Chilika Development Authority; Himansu Shekhar Khatua, Director General of the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be University; and Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar of KIIT Deemed to be University.
Annu Anand, Director of CMS Programs, introduced the program, emphasizing the critical role of media in environmental conservation. Rajeev Kumar Panda, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, delivered the welcome speech, referring to wetlands as the “kidneys of the earth.”
In his address, JR Mohanty noted, “Media has the power to shape public perception and drive action. Through initiatives like this, we are equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools to make a real difference in environmental conservation.”
HS Khatua highlighted the KIIT Green Initiative, established by Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS, aimed at controlling environmental pollution and creating a healthier environment on and around KIIT campuses.
The workshop included technical sessions on various topics such as the mystery and beauty of wetlands, environmental journalism, and storytelling techniques. Tiasa Adhya, Co-Founder of The Fishing Cat Project, discussed conservation efforts in Chilika through flagship species.
Other sessions were led by Pranab J Patar, Senior Environment & Sustainability Expert, and Nishant Saxena, Climate Science Communication Expert. Annu Anand led a discussion on producing compelling communication materials, emphasizing, “Effective storytelling is at the heart of conservation efforts. By empowering future media professionals with the right skills, we can amplify the voice of our wetlands and inspire action nationwide.”
Participants also took part in a field visit to Chilika Lake at the Wetland Research & Training Centre in Barkul, led by Saibala Parida. This experience provided them with first-hand knowledge of wetland ecology and conservation challenges.
This workshop represents a significant step towards deepening the understanding of wetlands among the promising future media professionals of Odisha and ensuring that the importance of these ecosystems reaches a broader audience.
