A specialized day-long training program was conducted at Gauhati University to equip future media professionals with the necessary skills to report on environmental offences. Around 60 students from the university's Department of Communication and Journalism participated in this intensive session on Wednesday (September 16). The educational event aimed to go beyond superficial coverage of wildlife incidents and foster a deeper understanding of conservation issues among young journalists.
Theme and Objectives of the Workshop
The program was organized under the banner of "Beyond Headlines: The Seizure Is Not the Story, Understanding and Reporting Wildlife Crime." It was conducted in collaboration with the Legal and Advocacy Department (LAD) of Aaranyak, a prominent environmental organization. The central focus of the workshop was to shift the narrative of media reporting from merely announcing the confiscation of animal parts to investigating the broader networks and ecological impacts behind these crimes.
Legal Frameworks and Investigative Journalism
Ivy Farheen Hussain, a Senior Project Officer and Wildlife Crime Analyst working with Aaranyak's LAD, was the primary trainer for the day. She led the participants through a series of complex topics, including the implementation of the updated Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. Hussain highlighted how aspiring journalists could investigate these illegal activities while strictly maintaining professional ethics and staying within the legal boundaries of journalism. A major highlight of the day was an interactive, practical session called "Finding the Story," which allowed all the participating students to actively analyze and construct investigative reports.
The Role of Media in Regional Conservation
Providing the foundational context for the sessions, Bijay Sankar Bora, a Consultant with the LAD and the Publicity Secretary of Aaranyak, discussed how wildlife trafficking directly threatens global biodiversity. He emphasized that biodiversity is crucial for sustaining human lives and livelihoods, making its preservation a shared responsibility. Bora noted that the northeastern region of India, known for its rich flora and fauna, remains highly susceptible to international smuggling rings. He urged future mass communication professionals to take on a proactive role in educating the public and creating awareness, stressing that communities and local citizens are key stakeholders in this fight.
Bora further remarked that the core objective of the program was to train students to produce scientific, trustworthy, and impactful reports that adhere to high journalistic standards. The training helped students understand how to structure their stories so they are both legally sound and highly convincing to the general public.
Departmental Support and Collaboration
The academic leadership of Gauhati University supported the initiative warmly. Professor Ankuran Dutta, who heads the Department of Communication and Journalism, introduced the training team to the student cohort and spoke on how highly relevant this specific topic is for anyone preparing for a career in modern media. Supporting the faculty's involvement, Dr Arunav Baruah honored the three members of the Aaranyak delegation. Additionally, Aaranyak's Public Relations Officer Gunajit Mazumdar handled the coordination of the event and managed the digital documentation of the sessions.
