5 Grantees Improve Media Coverage of Natural Resources and Green Growth in Nepal

In June 2024, Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), through its Media for Inclusive Green Growth (MIGG) project, supported five media outlets in Nepal with seed funding of 4500 Euros each to pilot innovative radio programs, newspaper columns and special reporting projects focused on highlighting the state of the country’s natural resources and its efforts to develop sustainably (i.e. green growth).  

• Read about the five media outlets selected: EJN Awards Seed Grants to 5 Media Outlets in Nepal to Improve Coverage of Natural Resource Management and Green Growth | Earth Journalism Network 

With EJN support, these grantees produced 35 in-depth stories, and five instances of new programming (two radio programs and three newspaper columns) over six months. Overall, the content supported through this round of seed grants reached over 4.2 million people through print and online.  

English daily Annapurna Express started its weekly Apex Environmental Series, which focused on environmental issues such as natural resource revenue sharing and allocation, fiscal federalism, unsustainable infrastructure development, plastic pollution, double taxation to community forest user groups (CFUGs), royalties from tourism and its distribution to all three tiers of governments, etc. Besides natural resource management issues, the column also covers air pollution, climate change, water scarcity and invasive species, among several other topics.  

The regional weekly newspaper Madhya Nepal Sandesh based in southern Nepal set aside a dedicated page titled Chapakal (tubewell), which features stories on the region’s water scarcity, urban pollution, unsustainable riverbed sand extraction, forest resource governance, and conflict between local governments among several other topics.  

Journalists from Madhya Nepal Sandesh also received EJN training on data visualization to enhance their stories, which drew the attention of the public and policymakers as well. “Ramesh Yadav, Ward Chairperson of Birgunj Metropolitan City, Ward 15, said that the maps and infographics used in the news story on drying tube wells would help identify the most affected areas, making it easier for them to find solutions,” said Kabita Khadka, editor, Madhya Nepal.  

Shikshak, a national monthly publication that reaches over 9000 schools across the country, came up with a column titled Prakriti Bodh (which translates to nature awareness) to highlight news and information related to natural phenomena, climate change, natural disasters and conservation. They also regularly report on issues related to school environments such as green school initiatives, sanitation and water resource management with the aim of integrating these topics into academic curricula. 

Ujyaalo Radio Network, the largest network of radio stations in Nepal, produced in-depth stories on natural resource management broadcast via the popular news bulletin Kaya Kairan, and their new Pani ra Parwat (water and mountains) program, which has delved into sustainable hydropower development, water scarcity, waste management, climate change, climate financing and more. 

Finally, Radio Karnali Aawaj, a radio station in remote Humla district, now broadcasts Hatemalo (hand in hand), a weekly show that has drawn attention to drinking water supply projects, the revenue that can be generated from natural capital, medicinal and aromatic plants, improved agricultural practices, food security and more.  

"The radio countdown program on Radio Karnali Aawaj encouraged direct responses from elected representatives and actively engaged local communities in the municipal budget formulation process. For instance, after listening to the program, citizens from Lali village in Kharpunath Rural Municipality-01, who were previously excluded, reached out to the rural municipality to demand their participation. After demands started to pour in from the locals Kharpunath Rural Municipality Chairperson, Mr. Karna Bahadur Rawal requested the radio to stop airing the countdown radio jingles due to the overwhelming responses from residents," said Nawaraj Mahatara, station manager, Radio Karnali Aawaj. 

Along with financial support, each grantee was mentored by EJN staff in Nepal, who organized several virtual and in-person meetings with the grantees, helping them identify pressing story ideas, connect with thematic experts, source data and edit their stories. “Through this opportunity, media outlets had the liberty to design special content on natural resources and initiate something beyond their regular coverage. Support from EJN staff helped them gain a better understanding, as many media professionals tend to lack knowledge of these issues,” said Ramesh Bhushal, EJN’s Nepal and South Asia manager. 

“We were able to initiate something different and we will continue these programs after the project duration and will raise funds to keep them as one of the key programs in our radio,” said Shikha Sharma, project coordinator, Ujyaalo Radio Network.  

The Media for Inclusive Green Growth project aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, practitioners and civil society and supports journalists to highlight information to hold policymakers accountable when dealing with the issues of natural resources and green growth. 

Learn more about the project here.