In a vibrant and insightful two-day workshop that began yesterday, local communities, students, and monks gathered for the “Great People’s Forest Storytelling” training event. Held in the picturesque town of Khuruthang, this immersive workshop is designed to unlock the storytelling potential within Bhutan’s diverse populations, drawing attention to the country’s rich natural heritage.
The workshop is part of a pioneering initiative known as ‘Great People’s Forest,’ a cross-border project that spans Northeast India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The initiative’s core objective is to empower participants to use their cell phones to document and share their interactions with nature, offering a unique perspective on the environment and its impact on daily life and climate.
Hands-On Training in Storytelling
Participants delved into various aspects of storytelling, including mobile videography and cinematography, as well as advanced techniques in mobile editing and social media dissemination strategies. This practical training aimed to provide attendees with the skills necessary to produce compelling narratives about their personal experiences and observations of the natural world.
Saurav Malhotra, the founding managing director of Great People’s Forest at Conservation International, articulated the vision behind the workshop. “Our main goal is to empower young people to tell their own stories,” he said. “We believe those who live closest to nature are the most qualified to depict its significance and its effects on both people and the climate.”
A Regional Network of Storytellers
The ‘Great People’s Forest’ project is a significant endeavor that unites diverse groups across the Eastern Himalayan region. The training is intended to build a robust network of storytellers who will continue to share their narratives and foster a deeper understanding of regional environmental issues.
“The expectation is that these trained individuals will continue to spread their stories, contributing to a powerful regional network,” Malhotra explained. “Bhutan, in particular, has a unique vantage point in illustrating how its people live in harmony with nature. This training aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to convey these stories effectively.”
Voices of Change
Participants were enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn how to craft and share stories that highlight Bhutan’s environmental narrative. They gained hands-on experience in shooting videos, recording audio, and conducting interviews using mobile phones. The training also covered developing storyboards and writing scripts to enhance storytelling techniques.
Tamseel Hussain, CEO and founder of Pluc TV and a key member of the training team, emphasized the importance of filling the gaps in conservation storytelling. “Our aim is to upskill individuals in storytelling and ensure that these narratives reach a global audience,” Hussain stated. He noted that traditional conservation stories often overlook the voices of those directly affected by climate change, a gap this training seeks to address.
“The inclusion of monks, students, and teachers in this workshop allows us to tell stories in ways that resonate widely,” Hussain added. “We want to capture and communicate the essence of the Great People’s Forest and the Eastern Himalayan region through the perspectives of those who experience it firsthand.”
Global Impact and Future Prospects
The stories created by the workshop participants are set to be showcased at prominent global events such as COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Climate Week this September. These platforms will offer an opportunity to correct misconceptions about the Eastern Himalayas and underscore the region’s significance in global environmental discussions.
The Great People’s Forest initiative, launched in September of last year as part of India’s G20 presidency, represents one of South Asia’s largest reforestation efforts. It is a collaboration between Conservation International USA and the Balipara Foundation in Assam, India. The project’s ambitious goal is to raise USD 1 billion by 2030 to support restoration activities across Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Northeast India.
In Bhutan, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTF) and the Bhutan Ecological Society (BES) are spearheading the efforts. The BES plans to restore over 1,000 hectares of land in the initial phase and establish a nursery with a capacity to produce 1 million saplings annually. Meanwhile, the BTF is focused on planting 150,820 native saplings across 215 hectares of degraded forest areas and collaborating with 535 schools to plant over 500,000 trees.
With around 1 billion people residing in the mountainous regions between Bhutan and Nepal and the mangrove-rich areas of India and Bangladesh, the project aims to enhance environmental stewardship and foster a deeper connection between people and their natural surroundings.
This workshop in Khuruthang is a crucial step toward achieving these objectives, equipping individuals with the tools and skills necessary to become effective storytellers and advocates for their environment.
