Wanted: Coastal stories for new Asian TV series

Are you part of a successful research or restoration effort to revive a degraded coastal ecosystem?

Do you know of any coastal resource management effort in Asia that balances people's jobs and conservation interests?

Have you come across an individual or group working quietly and diligently to protect mangroves, sand dunes or coral reefs?

If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP) would like to hear from you!  Your story might be filmed and featured in a new television series now under development.

The Greenbelt Reports (second series) will investigate how Asians live and work with coastal ‘greenbelts’ -- coral reefs, mangroves and sand dunes -- amidst poverty and population pressures.

TVEAP, a non-profit media foundation covering Asia's quest for sensible development, will produce and distribute the new series on an editorially independent, journalistic basis. It will be offered to over three dozen TV channels across Asia who regularly carry TVEAP programming, as well as to thousands of civil society and educational groups across the region.

"TVEAP is increasingly seeking public nominations and suggestions for story ideas," says Nalaka Gunawardene, Director/CEO of TVEAP. "We recently completed a highly successful nomination process under another project called Saving the Planet, which is now moving into production."

He adds: "Rather than rely only on our own networks and information research, we'd like to hear from those who are actually doing this work – and those who admire such work."

The Greenbelt Reports first series used a dozen case studies to emphasize that the only way Asia’s remaining coastal greenbelts -- coral reefs, mangroves and sand dunes -– can be saved is by balancing ecosystem conservation with survival needs of local people.

The series was filmed in mid 2006 in coastal locations in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand –- countries that were hardest hit by the Tsunami on 26 December 2004. It comprises a dozen 5 minute video films, each a self contained story, and a half hour documentary that offers a regional overview of the state of greenbelts in Asia.

Using compelling images, interview clips and brief narration, each film tells the story of a community, activist group or researchers engaged in saving, restoring or regenerating a coastal greenbelt.

The entire series was planned, filmed and edited by Asian television professionals. The production drew on scientific advice and guidance from a large number research and conservation organisations across coastal Asia.

Since its release, the first series of The Greenbelt Reports has been distributed widely to broadcast, civil society and educational groups in Asia and beyond. It has been screened at a number of high level international scientific and conservation gatherings.

TVEAP says the second series is a response to the overwhelmingly positive response to the first series. This time around, stories from more countries in South and Southeast Asia are to be featured. Potential stories being researched have so far come from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

The new series is expected to go into production in late 2007 or early 2008. It will have a public release by end 2008.

It's a TV series…and much more! The Greenbelt Reports is not just a TV series. It is a multi-media, Asian regional educational project to document and discuss the conservation challenges involving mangroves, coral reefs and sand reefs. The first series involved the following:
	12 x 5 min TV capsules documenting case studies from across Asia
	One half-hour TV documentary capturing regional highlights
	Local language versions of TV capsules and documentary
	Broadcast distribution to TV stations & networks across Asia Pacific
	Educational and civil society distribution on VHS & DVD
	Public screenings at scientific, activist and conservation meetings