By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
MESHAMESHAMESHA
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Management
    • Strategic Plan, 2023-2027
  • Sayansi Magazine
  • Media
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Membership
    • Accredited Members
    • How to Join MESHA
  • IFAJ 2025 Congress
Search
Categories
  • Climate Change
  • Health
  • Biodiversity
  • Agriculture
  • Environment
© 2024 MESHA. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Explore intricate link between biodiversity, tourism, and livelihoods for greater impact, journalists told
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
MESHAMESHA
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Management
    • Strategic Plan, 2023-2027
  • Sayansi Magazine
  • Media
    • Audio
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Membership
    • Accredited Members
    • How to Join MESHA
  • IFAJ 2025 Congress
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 Mesha. All Rights Reserved.
MESHA > Blog > Biodiversity > Explore intricate link between biodiversity, tourism, and livelihoods for greater impact, journalists told
Biodiversity

Explore intricate link between biodiversity, tourism, and livelihoods for greater impact, journalists told

Mesha
Mesha Published 28 November 2023
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE
Nduta Waweru guides journalists on how to report on biodiversity, linking it to livelihoods and tourism.

By Kemunto Ogutu | kemuntoogutu@gmail.com 

As science journalists continue to report on biodiversity in Kenya’s hotspots, editors and researchers believe that the link between tourism culture and biodiversity is an intricate one that journalists should fully explore.

In a study published in the ‘International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks’, researchers noted that “Ecotourism has been gaining momentum in biodiversity hotspots pertaining to its potential to boost both rural livelihoods and environmental conservation. It has the ability to alleviate poverty, which is profoundly embedded in several areas of society.”

Addressing journalists during a biodiversity reporting training by MESHA Science on Nov 23, 2023, facilitators emphasized the need for journalists to focus on holistic reporting on biodiversity as this would produce more impactful stories.

The editors, who led the discussions on biodiversity reporting, guided the journalists in the training on how to report on the subject.

Nduta Waweru, an editor for Sayansi Magazine, discouraged journalists from overlooking positive stories and focusing on negative ones. “Often we disproportionately cover negative aspects of biodiversity loss, neglecting positive stories of successful conservation efforts, community-led initiatives, or species recoveries. This can contribute to a sense of hopelessness and despair,” she said.

Waweru also noted that many journalists erroneously focus on the ‘biodiversity big shots’, often neglecting the less iconic species that play equally important roles in ecosystems. 

Kenya boasts of several unique biodiversity hotspots such as the Lamu archipelago, Kisite Marine Park, Arabuko-Sokoke forest and Kakamega’s equatorial forest. All these hotspots, Waweru said, offer great tourism attractions and draw the attention of many researchers and conservationists.

However, many biodiversity reporters overreport on these famous hotspots that have long been in the conservation headlines. Waweru advised them to consider telling biodiversity stories in cities, which she said, are important ecosystems that should never be overlooked.

In reporting science stories, journalists should tailor their reports to resonate with their local audiences. By informing them on the impacts of biodiversity and its influence on livelihood, culture, and well-being, communities will take greater interest in such stories.

They should also avoid overlooking the gender lens in covering biodiversity stories as such angles often create the required balance in reporting and may breathe uniqueness into one’s stories.

Waweru emphasized the connection between tourism, biodiversity and livelihood, saying, “Tourism activities can support research and monitoring efforts for conservation. Revenues generated from tourism can also be channeled into biodiversity conservation projects,” she explained. “The revenue from biodiversity hotspots also supports local businesses, communities, and conservation initiatives.”

You Might Also Like

Beach Management units key to sustainable fishing along the coast

Hunger for sand takes a toll on endangered Mudfish in Embu

Nema calls for Kisumu wetlands gazettement for easy conservation

Coastal communities unite to save turtles from extinction

Experts push for mending of human-nature relationship

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Email Copy Link Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article We must act now to combat biodiversity loss in the face of climate change
Next Article COP28 feels like the centre of the universe, but will it actually change the world?
Ethics key as AI and social media redefine science reporting, journalists told
Uncategorised
MESHA gets boost to implement project on Africa-led climate stories
Climate
Presentations from MESHA’s Science Café: Framing Reproductive Health Stories Through Solutions Journalism and Lived Reporting Experiences
Solutions Journalism
Stakeholders out to tackle climate induced malaria surge at Kenya’s coast
Health

Contact Info

Location
Oasis Apartments, Jogoo Road, 3rd Floor
Phone
+254 721 578517
+254 732 229 230
info@meshascience.org

Facebook

//

We are the number one science, health and agriculture journalists network in Africa accessed by over 20 million users.

Quick Link

  • About
  • Sayansi Magazine
  • Accredited Members
  • Mesha Audio
  • My Bookmarks

Top Categories

  • Climate Change
  • Health
  • Biodiversity
  • Agriculture
  • Environment

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

MESHAMESHA
Follow US
© 2024 MESHA. All Rights Reserved.
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?