Communication and Information

Language(s): Eng

Summary/Historical Context

This is a popular production describing the threats to the sustainability of the hardwood carving industry in Kenya, and the steps being taken to improve the situation.

All over the world - and particularly in Europe, North America and Japan, there are thousands of shops selling beautiful wooden carvings: wooden zebras, elephants and leopards charm the customers who buy them. Very few of the carving importers, shop-owners or the many people buying these carvings realize the ecological impact of this trade. The message of this video is “choose carvings carefully”.

The ‘ecological footprint' of the wooden rhino can be a very heavy one, not only for forest habitat or rare East African wildlife, but ultimately for the woodcarvers themselves. By buying carefully and ordering carvings of alternative woods such as need (Azadirachta indica), mango and jacaranda, buyers can make a choice - and a difference.

on this subject: The People and Plants legacy (unesdoc.unesco.org)

Place/country: Kenya, Tanzania,
Type: Documentary
Duration: 00:10:00
Author/director: Tony Cunningham, Nick Chevalier Productions,
Publisher/producer: WWF, UNESCO,
Published in: 2004

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