Media practitioners schooled on environmental preservation

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has opened up a three-day workshop to train Cameroonian media practitioners on environmental and social best practices and the standards and tools in extractive and agro-industries in the country.

The workshop which started on Wednesday 26th November 2014 in Douala, seeks to train media practitioners on sensitizing Cameroonians on the protection of the country’s biodiversity.

This need to protect Cameroon’s biodiversity emerges from the exploitation of the country’s rich natural resources by nationals and foreigners, towards developing the country.

Such exploitation, environmentalists say, could have repercussions on the country’s biodiversity, if some cushioning is not instituted.

During the opening of the workshop, WWF’s Conservation Director, Rolf Sprung called on the media practitioners to effectively report on the progress, opportunities and challenges of sustainable development.

The Conservation Director noted that in arming the media men towards efficiently reporting on environmental issues the population will get the necessary information and adopt an attitude geared at preserving the environment.

Rolf Sprung further also cautioned the local people and businessmen to ensure sustainable development as they engage in extractive and agro-industrial businesses.

The Delegate for Communication of the Littoral, Mireille Bisseck on her part, implored journalists to tactfully communicate on environmental issues and the impact of its poor management, so as to make stakeholders draw up bills promoting sustainability and good practices.