Audio Visual Department
The Audio Visual Department (AVD) of NEFEJ, was established in 1993 with the following objectives:
1. To act as an advocacy and lobbying outlet of the organization
2. To generate awareness on environment conservation and sustainable development
3. To provide technical support for documentary production
The department is primarily known for its popular television show- Aankhijkhyal. Aankhijhyal, named after the famous carved wooden window of Nepalese architecture, is the only television program to have completed 1000 episodes, making it the longest-running program in the country and probably in the region too.
The first episode of this video magazine was broadcast on May 3, 1994. Since then, the program has come a long way and has been widely recognized among all age groups. The program specifically deals with environment and sustainable development issues and has a wide archive ranging from forest, wildlife, culture, heritage, community as well as environment and its conservation. Currently, it is being aired every Saturday on Avenues Television at 5:30 pm, Paryabaran Television at 6:00 pm, Sarokar Televison at 6:30 pm, Zee Nepal HD Television at 6:30 pm, TV Birjung Today at 7:00 pm, Lumbini Samudaik Television at 9: pm, Sunday on Himshikhar Television at 5:00 pm, and Tuesday on Indiginous Television at 8:00 pm respectively.. Besides that, it is telecasted on London-based Nepali Television and USA-based Himalayan TV along with being featured in 15 locally based television channels outside the valley.
The latest venture of the department is the Nayapusta TV program, which aired its first episode on October 5, 2012 in joint collaboration with Free Press Unlimited-The Netherlands. After 2 years of this support, the program carried on with NEFEJ’s own contribution. However, starting from 2017, the program continues to be supported by Free Press Unlimited-The Netherlands. This program is mainly dedicated to educate and inform kids and adolescents as well as provide a platform for them to express their views and thoughts. It further aims to encourage them to participate in the different decision making processes of the society. Initially, the program developed one 15-min package every week, however considering its popularity as well as the need to escalate its impact, the frequency of the show was increased.
Meanwhile, the AVD also produces various documentaries related to environment, conservation, and sustainable development. It also has working in partnership with many governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as international, bilateral, and multi-lateral agencies. It is the video resource center for Delhi-based Television Trust for the Environment (TVE), whose headquarters is in London, and hence is authorized to translate, broadcast, distribute and sell the relevant international documentaries and other video materials produced by TVE. It has adapted more than 100 documentaries and video materials in Nepali language this way. Apart from this, the department has produced more than 200 documentaries, many of which have been nationally and internationally acclaimed. Some of the documentaries claiming prestigious awards include the “Timber to Tibet’ which won at the Earth Vision Film Festival 2004 in Japan, “Water Water Every where, But… ” which claimed the Asian Development Bank’s Video contest in Manila on 1996, “Discipline with Dignity” which swept off the International Human Rights awards in 2000 and video reports for “Dudhe Balak ko Bihe (Child Marriage)” achieving big at the International Tolerance awards in Sri Lanka.
The AVD has a dedicated team of individuals which has made all its ventures and different activities popular among the crowd. It has also been backed by experienced documentary makers who have been involved with the department for more than 20 years now. Their valuable guidance has resulted in the production of good quality television episodes and documentaries, further adding to the popularity of these shows and videos.
CONTACT PERSON:
Rabindra Pandey
Director
Audio Visual Department, NEFEJ
Email: [email protected]
Rajesh Ghimire
Editor in Chief, Nayapusta
Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ)
Email: [email protected]
