Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 25 April 2024
In an endeavor to cultivate environmental consciousness among the youth, the Wildlife Division of Port Blair, under the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, recently organized a compelling awareness camp as part of the ‘Prakriti Shantiniketan – the nature classroom programme’. The event, held at the serene Nature Park and Interpretation Centre in Haddo, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 30 students and teachers of Govt. Secondary School, Delanipur.
The immersive camp provided attendees with a unique platform to delve into educational workshops and guided nature walks led by seasoned professionals. Aimed at fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility, the camp utilized field visits, classroom sessions, drawing competitions, and quiz competitions to educate, inspire, and empower participants.
A highlight of the camp was the exploration of various sections of the Nature Park and Interpretation Centre, where participants engaged in enlightening sessions covering topics such as endemic birds, the coral reef ecosystem of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and snake conservation. These activities aimed to impart insights into the significance of biodiversity, conservation efforts, and sustainable living practices.
Additionally, interactive activities such as drawing and quiz competitions were organized to ignite participants’ passion for the natural world. These initiatives sought to deepen their appreciation for the environment while equipping them with practical knowledge and skills to advocate for environmental conservation within their communities.
The culmination of the camp saw the recognition of outstanding participants, with prizes and Certificates of Appreciation awarded to the winners. Among the winners of the drawing competition were Abdul Wahad, Baby Mondal, Julina, and Tuhina Khatun, while the quiz competition saw S. Kumar, Bathina Kumar, Baby Mondal, and Santosh securing top positions along with consolation prizes.
Through initiatives like the wildlife awareness camp, efforts are underway to nurture a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are equipped to safeguard and cherish the natural heritage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.