Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 27 March 2024
The eagerly anticipated awareness series on Dugong and Nature Conservation began on 26th March 2024 at Bageecha, Port Blair. Organized by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi (PBGKR) and 4 Seasons, the series aims to educate and engage communities in efforts towards conservation.
The series commenced with an engaging awareness session catered to the residents of Love Children’s Home in Manglutan. Led by Ms. Swapnali Gole, a researcher from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, the session incorporated informative videos on Dugong along with interactive games. Children actively participated, learning about their state animal and the crucial need to safeguard it. They enthusiastically pledged to spread awareness about the conservation of the endangered Dugong species.
Prior to the awareness session, Mr. Denis Giles from Bageecha highlighted the importance of adopting plants as a precursor to tree plantation drives. He also enlightened the children about the rich biodiversity of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, emphasising the need for conservation efforts.
Mr. Mandeep Grewal, Founder & President of PBGKR, engaged with the children, expressing gratitude towards WII for organizing such impactful initiatives for them.
The program concluded with a hearty lunch provided by 4 Seasons, followed by the distribution of participation certificates to the children, acknowledging their involvement in the conservation initiative.
The commencement of the awareness series marks a significant step towards fostering environmental consciousness and active participation in conservation efforts among the youth in Port Blair.