 The Greenbelt Reports
Series One: 12 x 5 mins
The Greenbelt Reports is a new televisions series produced by TVE Asia Pacific in cooperation with local, national and regional conservation organisations and filmed in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It looks at how communities, researchers or environmental activists are trying to find a balance between conserving coastal greenbelts -– coral reefs, mangroves and sand dunes -– and deriving economic benefits for local people.
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Greenbelts and Lifebelts (Tamil Nadu, India)
Advised and facilitated by the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, coastal communities in southern India are restoring or replanting mangrove forests as a ‘bio-shield’ against natural disasters and sea level rise.
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Surround Sand (Tamil Nadu & Orissa, India)
Sand dunes have historically protected coastal villages from cyclones and wave action. In two Indian states, Tamil Nadu and Orissa, efforts are now underway to strengthen sand dunes as a means of natural protection for vulnerable communities. |
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Live and Let Live (Tamil Nadu, India)
Protecting mangroves need not always mean banning local people from deriving benefits. Different approaches to community-mangrove co-existence have been adopted in two locations in India. One community engages in sustainable harvesting, while the other is being weaned away from the mangrove through alternative jobs and incomes. |
After the Tiger (Pemalang, Java, Indonesia)
The people of Pemalang had to work had to restore their mangroves damaged by excessive shrimp farming in recent years. Now with mangroves regenerated, they can harvest multiple benefits: improved fish and crab catches, plant products, and natural protection from storms and waves. |
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Nurturing Nature (Jaring Halus, Sumatra, Indonesia)
For several decades, the people of Jaring Halus managed their own mangrove forest using traditional methods and donated labour. Recognising their expertise and commitment, the government has agreed to all them the right to co-manage mangroves in a nearby wildlife sanctuary a first for Indonesia. The people have agreed, but on one condition. |
Reef Relief (Rumassala, Galle, Sri Lanka)
Human and natural factors have exerted multiple pressures on Sri Lankan coral reefs, killing off many. A group of young divers is slowly working on regrowing one reef, giving nature a helping hand to bounce back. |
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Trees of Life (Kalmunai, Sri Lanka)
Returning 18 months later to the first point on the island of Sri Lanka that the Asian Tsunami hit, we find local communities busy nurturing a coastal greenbelt. Kalmunai is also being re-greened through home gardens and organic farming.
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Mangroves Are Forever (Kalpitiya, Puttalam, Sri Lanka)
Shrimp farming damaged and degraded mangroves around the Kalpitiya lagoon. After the industry collapsed, the community joined hands with a conservation group to restore the mangroves, some of which is harvested.
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Saved by Sand (Paanama, Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka)
While surrounding villages were devastated by the Tsunami, Paanama suffered only minor damage thanks to sand dunes on one side and thick mangroves on the other. This inspired villagers to undertake restoration and conservation activity.
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People Power (Tuntaset village, Trang, Thailand)
The mangroves and wetlands of Tuntaset were nearly ruined by the charcoal industry and shrimp farming. The villagers invoked a decades-old law that allowed communities to manage their local mangroves. Having worked hard on the restoration, they now see their bearing fruit – literally.
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Claudio’s Century (Pra Thong island, Thailand)
While on vacation in southern Thailand, an Italian scientist was drawn to a pristine mangrove forest. But before he could fully study it well, the Asian Tsunami turned everything upside down. He is now working on restoring the damaged ecosystem – a process that could take a century.
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Love Thy Mangrove (Pra Thong island, Thailand)
For a year after the Asian Tsunami, a film crew from TVE Asia Pacific followed the recovery of a family of Moken people --Thai sea gypsies -- on the Pra Thong island in southern Thailand. We return to find out how these indigenous people are working to restore and protect the island’s mangroves.
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