Tourism and wildlife film making: Both have to do more to protect the natural world

The time is ripe in Asia for an event that will focus the spotlight on not only wildlife film making, but on the critical issue of wildlife conservation in the region.

Which is why freelance wildlife film producer, Mr Chris Dickinson, came up with the idea of staging Wildlife Asia in Singapore. (The event will be held this month – see related story.)

He said that given the richness and diversity of wildlife in Asia, there was a need for an event of stature that would facilitate the story-telling as well as address the need for conservation.

The British-born film producer said the industry was growing rapidly. "The major networks are beginning to recognise the potential for wildlife film making in Asia. There is fantastic potential in India and China, in particular.

"Broadcasters also recognise that wildlife films sell a brand – they represent the best quality in television production. Wildlife shows are very important to brands such as the BBC, Discovery and National Geographic.

"There is a need for these networks to really get into the local markets, and develop the skills and the talent on the ground. Wildlife Asia will help grow the industry through the networking opportunities and find the film-makers in the region who have the unique knowledge and stories to tell."

He said the current practice of networks parachuting in foreign talent was not only costly, but could also be insensitive to local cultures. "They need to develop local talent – it gives them access to new stories and it helps them tell stories in the local context."

"We are failing to get the news out"

Beyond this, Mr Dickinson said wildlife films played a critical role in raising the awareness of conservation. "The media is a very powerful tool in creating awareness of the issues. The industry recognises that we are failing to get the news out, that we are not communicating it from the Asian perspective."

He cited a recent programme called "Strange Days on Planet Earth", a four-part programme hosted by actor Edward Norton. "It was a big hit in the US. It had a powerful message, but it didn’t travel because a lot of it was filmed in the US and it addressed environmental issues too much from the Western perspective.

"We need to make shows that appeal to local audiences."

According to Mr Dickinson, illegal trade and growing demand for endangered species continues to be the most worrying issue in wildlife conservation.

"Sadly, the perception that the demand is due to Chinese medicinal practices is unfair. It’s not the sole cause. There are wildlife collectors in the US and Europe, who are responsible for decimating a species overnight. So it’s not an Asian thing, it’s a global issue.

"But because there is so much growth in Asia – population, economy, there is going to be much more demand from this region."

Another area of concern is the destruction of habitats to make way for the logging industry and palm oil cultivation. "Palm oil is now being touted as an environmentally-friendly fuel, but the process of creating palm oil is far from environmentally-friendly when you consider the destruction of habitats and the cultivation of it."

A balance between "entertainment" and "preaching"

Mr Dickinson is aware though that in wildlife film making, there has to be a balance between "entertainment" and "preaching".

"(The late) Steve Irwin was a great example. He was a great entertainer, but did he push things too far? Yet if you get too preachy, people turn off. People like Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin get you excited and they reach out to youths. And if you can get people energised and excited, it’s a precursor to action.

"You have to find the right balance between entertainment and getting the message out."

"Not giving enough back to the natural world"

As for how tourism and wildlife film makers can work hand in hand in conservation, Mr Dickinson said: "We as wildlife film makers have to view the natural world as a resource with an economic value – we make a living from it. Just like tourism. So it is in both our interests to protect that resource and we ought to work more closely together to do so.

"My perceived feeling is, the tourism industry has not given enough back to the natural world. It is using it as a sales tool, but not giving enough back.

"The television industry is in the same position. We have shot in the most amazing locations in the world, we have met some of the most amazing people in the world – but we have not done enough to protect the natural world.

"Like tourism, we have taken things for granted."

Mr Dickinson said that tourism has an important part to play in enriching local communities. "When you give poor people an alternative income, you give them an incentive to protect the natural world from which they make a living."

Which is why he hopes that with Wildlife Asia there could also be a platform to bring together wildlife film makers and tourism players for the common, mutually beneficial cause of conservation.