Biodiversity Project

Journalists Acting for Biodiversity (The JAB)

In this project, funded by JRS Biodiversity Foundation. MESHA will mobilise local media to develop biodiversity content and to publish high quality and data-based information that can easily be understood by the policy makers, the political class and local communities in English and Kiswahili.

Key Objectives

To equip science journalists with skills and knowledge to enable them report effectively and correctly on biodiversity.

To create awareness on the importance of biodiversity in the general public, both at the grassroots and policy level.

To enhance coverage of biodiversity by establishing a network of journalists and scientists in biodiversity for continuous coverage.

To create a platform on which journalists, scientists, policymakers, and the general public can access

information on biodiversity to allow them to make
informed decision about the resources and activities to promote and conserve biodiversity.

Planned Outputs

Science Cafes

Training for scientists

Sayansi (Science) Magazine

Podcast

Journalists Training

Story grants

Improved MESHA website

African Conference of Science Journalists

Biodiversity champions in Kenya and Africa have called on Kenyans to embrace and protect insects saying that they are very key in maintaining the ecosystem.

The head of Technology Transfer Unit at the International Centre of Insect, physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) Dr.Niassy Saliu said many insects which are playing key roles like pollination, decomposition of nutrient in the soil and also used as food might soon be extinct because they are not protected.

Dr.Niassy said many people have ignored the roles played by insects in the society adding that besides helping in issues of pollination, nutrient decomposition, some insects are used as food for humans. He said insects are very rich in nutrients like protein, zinc among others.

The head of Technology Transfer Unit at the International Centre of Insect, Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) said countries like Europe have embraced insects by even creating laws to protect insects, adding that the majority of the people are eating insects.

Dr.Niassy said such laws protecting insects which have been developed in some countries are also very necessary in Kenya adding that the people in Kenya should value the insects.

In Africa, there are over 500 edible insects while globally over 1900 insects’ species are eaten.

Among the edible insects in Africa include legend termite, spiders, beetles, mantids, flies,plant bugs,wasps;moth/butterflies ,dragonflies  and grasshoppers

By George Juma.

Migori County.

1st MARCH 2022.

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