Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 28 March 2024
A series of awareness sessions on Dugong and nature conservation, organized by the CAMPA – Dugong Project in collaboration with Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi and 4 Seasons, continued to enlighten the children of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) at Bageecha, Port Blair.
The program, aimed at fostering an understanding of Dugongs and promoting conservation efforts, unfolded over three days with the participation of children from Love Children’s Home, Pranab Kanya Sangha, and Capston on day 2 and day 3.
Throughout the series, the young participants were introduced to the Dugong, recognized as the state animal of the A&N Islands, and educated about the various threats faced by these marine mammals. Emphasis was placed on delineating the differences between marine mammals and elucidating the vulnerabilities of Dugongs, particularly in light of human-induced threats.
Leading the awareness sessions were Ms. Swapnali Gole and Mr. Sumit Prajapati, researchers from the CAMPA – Dugong Project. They engaged the children through video presentations, interactive games, and insightful discussions, instilling in them a deeper appreciation for marine conservation.
Mr. Mandeep Grewal, Founder & President of Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi, engaged with both the children and caretakers of the CCIs, underscoring the significance of such awareness initiatives in nurturing a sense of environmental responsibility.
Highlighting the imperative of nature conservation, Mr. Denis Giles of Bageecha urged the children to take proactive steps, such as adopting plants, to contribute to safeguarding the environment.
The concluding session witnessed the distribution of participation certificates by Chef Ashwar Pal Singh of 4 Seasons, who generously supported the provision of lunch for the children. Additionally, the children received souvenirs related to Dugong from the CAMPA- Dugong Project, serving as enduring reminders of their encounter with the state animal and the importance of conservation efforts.