Wanted: an in-depth approach to environment
Coastal Karnataka's first website has successfully drawn attention to environmental issues, but most of its stories tend to be mere reports.
PETULA DIAS shows in a student study that the site is yet to focus seriously on creating strong public awareness.
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Background
This study is an attempt to examine the environment stories published in the first website of coastal Karnataka- www.daijiworld.com. It aims to find out if environment conservation has been stressed upon in its reportage. This study seeks to determine the stand of the website on the various development works which have been causing damage to the environment in the area.
www.daijiworld.com has a provision for allowing the readers to comment on the news stories that are published. As a result, it has been possible to find out the response of the readers on issues of importance.
Environment stories on the website were monitored between October 4 and November 15, 2011.
The website publishes reports under two categories: ‘Top story’ and ‘Special story’. The main area of monitoring comprises environment conservation, environment destruction, and development works that are at odds with the environment. The stories have been analysed for their content, photographs, and readers’ response and views.
A total of 35 environment stories that appeared between October 4 and November 15, 2011 were monitored. They were classified into four categories for further analysis:
1. Environment destruction
2. Environment and conservation
3. Environment and development projects
4. Natural forces and environment destruction
Analysis:
1. Environment destruction:
Four stories that speak of environment destruction as a result of human activities such as illegal trafficking in animals and timber, in addition to the violation of a fishing rule, were published during the period of study. Another story said that the farmers were giving up cultivation of paddy and described the difficulties they were facing, and the reason why they were taking this extreme step.
The story on illegal trafficking in peacock is accompanied by a photograph of the accused, while the story on illegal trading in wood has only the picture of the seized truck. Although the report mentions that further investigation of the illegal trafficking will take place, there has been no add-on story to it. Three of the four stories in this category are brief reports (under 300 words) about the arrest of individuals who violated the rules with very few or no comments from the readers.
The report on farmers giving up paddy cultivation has attributed this phenomenon to poor rainfall and high costs of cultivation. However, the alternative means that farmers can adopt to avoid this have not been provided. This report has obtained a better response compared to the other three stories. There are more photographs in this story than in the others, eliciting good reader response. Some of the remarks are:
“When I see these snaps, I remember my childhood” – Anil, Kuwait.
· “I miss my days when I used to plough the fields and helped my dad & uncle in cultivation & harvesting” – Patrick, Toronto.
The readers, who have sympathised with the farmers, have suggested alternative techniques that farmers could adopt to get a better yield.
· “It is sad to see the pitiful pictures as these hardworking farmers had to face these hardships due to unexpected rains.”- Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi /New York, USA.
· “It is time farmers changed the timings of cultivation. They should delay it at least by 15 days to 30 days. Else,during the harvest they will face rain. During the last five years there has been a change in the weather condition all over the world. Delayed rain during cultivation and heavy rain during cutting season has resulted in heavy loses to farmers.” – Louis, Kuwait.
2. Environment and Conservation:
Two stories covering environment conservation have been published during the period of study. One of them was from the ‘Top story’ category and was a report on a wildlife photography exhibition. The story has some photographs, mainly of the inauguration with dignitaries at the function, while those of the exhibition are absent. The story has received no comments.
The story under the ‘Special story’ category is on the conservation of birds. It elaborately explains in 1,102 words, the conservation of birds, especially the birds of prey, and the techniques to identify them and how to protect them. It has 22 photographs. Of these, the names of five birds are kept anonymous. The readers have been asked to identify them. The response to this story has been positive with over 35 comments. The information provided about the birds has been appreciated with comments such as:
“It was an enlightening, informative, and enjoyable article” – Goldwin Fernandes, Mangalore.
· “Thanks a lot for enlightening us on birds of prey especially with beautiful pictures. This enables us to identify them in our surroundings whenever found.”- Arem, Puttur.
The photographer has also earned the readers’ praise. Some of the responses include:
· “I have a keen interest in wildlife and hence I’m really enjoying viewing these photos posted on Daijiworld” - Shettigar, UAE/Udupi.
· “THANK YOU..THANK YOU..wonderful photos. I am going to share this in fb.”- Jaimini P B, Manipal, Sharjah.
Some readers have tried to guess the names of the unknown birds which are revealed by the writers through the comments later. The special story is also significantly long compared to the other story in the category. In spite of this, many readers have commented on it and interacted with the writers besides, participating in guessing the names of the unknown birds.
3. Environment and development projects:
There are five ‘Top stories’ on environment and development projects. Of these, e, two are continuations of the previous two, with a mention of the previous incident. The reports mainly speak of two main development projects that are conflicting with the environment: Mangalore Refinery and Petroleum Ltd (MRPL) and Udupi Power Corporation Ltd. (UPCL).
One of important issues highlighted is the damage caused by the UPCL to the marine life. This story, indicating the fish death at sea near the project, has been written with interview with the local people who blame the power project for the fish death as well as with the site in-charge who denies this accusation. The report has received a comment by a power project professional who gives various possible reasons for the fish death at the sea without accusing the power plant or supporting it.
Another report speaks of the unrest among the local people as a result of the harm caused by the power project. This story has generated a discussion among the readers. While some believe that this project will displace the lives of the people, there is also an argument which states that these projects are important for the progress of the country. The story has the highest number of photographs in the category and also the highest number of comments, especially on the display of photographs.
4. Environment destruction:
In this category, there are 24 ‘Top stories’. Most of them are on the untimely rains that occurred between October and November in Coastal Karnataka along with flash floods and thunder and lightning.
Most of these stories are brief, none over 300 words. They are reports on the damage caused by rains and a comparison of the weather conditions in the surrounding districts. The damage is described in detail: “Kamala (50), wife of Koragappa Poojary of Barkemane in the village, was cooking lunch, when lightning struck” and “six coconut trees, eight areca nut palms and the pumpset were burnt down.”
None of the stories has photographs of the damage that is elaborately written about. Only five of the 24 stories in this category have comments. One or two stories have given rise to discussion among the readers who have interpreted these untimely rains to be a result of environment destruction.
Conclusion:
www.daijiworld.com has covered stories on the environment. However, they are mere reports of incidents that are related to environment. Articles that exclusively speak of the environment issues are very few. There is also lack of in-depth coverage of news. Most of the stories on the accident and the damage caused. The reasons for such an occurrence and the steps to be taken to solve these environment problems have not been provided.
The response of the readers to environment stories has been positive and it indicates that the website can be used to create awareness about the environment.
It is evident that people are conscious of environment issues that have proximity to them. These stories are important to them as the issue has been affecting their lives. Although some stories have not mentioned the reason for environmental changes, the readers have actively responded by attributing destruction of the earth and climate change as the reason for the situation. Photographs are a better way of instilling the message among the readers and that has been observed in this study.
1. Stories on environment destruction:
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Sl No
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Category
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Story headline
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Story length
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Number of Photogra-phs
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Number of comments-abroad
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Number of comments- local
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Number of comments- anonymous
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1
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Top story
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Kundapur: Man trying to sell peacock caught
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113 words
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1
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0
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0
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0
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2
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Top Story
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Mangalore: Special Forest Mobile Squad seizes truck
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110
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