CIS-A2K/Events/Wikimedia orientation and Commons training session for Mula Mutha Nadi Darshan photo contest organisers
The river is the lifeline of any civilization. Fast growing Pune, exploited the rivers as a source of water, sand and used as drainage lines for sewage and industrial effluents since last 60 years. Today there are beautification projects being built around the rivers and its banks, by compromising the existing ecosystem of the river. The large part of the citizen community is ignorant about these issues, and thus do not care to protect the river, which is a crucial part of nature. Many civil society organisations are active in the sector of river conservation, river rejuvenation and citizen science initiatives. Various campaigns and outreach programs are also being organised to build the connect between the society and rivers. The ‘River Walk’, Adopt a stretch initiative, Toxin Free lifestyle are some such initiatives done by Jeevitnadi organisation in Pune, working on River Rejuvenation.
‘Pune River Revival’ is a campaign spearheaded by Jeevitnadi, and backed by many other citizens and organizations like Ecological Society, Samuchit Envirotech, Nisarg Sevak, National Society for Clean Cities etc in Pune. The campaign was started to better understand the River Front project implemented by Pune Municipal Corporation and highlight the deteriorating condition of the rivers due to this project. The ‘Jalbodh’ project by Centre for Internet & Society’s Access to Knowledge Program (CIS-A2K) to build a water knowledge repository on Wikimedia projects is being implemented in collaboration with similar organisations active in the water sector.
All these stakeholders have organised Mula Mutha Nadi Darshan photography contest to document the Mula & Mutha rivers in Pune district on Wikimedia Commons in the form of images and videos with the involvement of active citizens during the time period of 15 May - 31 July 2023.
As the organisers are unaware of the Wikimedia Campaigns and contests, the orientation and training workshop was organised on 12 May between 8pm to 9.30pm. CIS-A2K members - Subodh and Nitesh conducted the workshop along with Wikimedian Gopalakrishna. The detailed discussion about the process of the contest was done. The rules and topics for photography were finalised. The training on Wikimedia Commons editing, uploading photographs from computer and mobile app and geotagging was imparted.