Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec 15: To celebrate the biodiversity of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor, today INTACH Andaman and Nicobar Chapter in collaboration with Dakshin Foundation and ANET and with support from Forest Department organized a boot camp for around 60 children from different villages of Wandoor panchayat.
The children were taken to Marine Interpretation Centre, Wandoor where, Mr. Mohammed Hussain, Camp officer, Scuba Diving and Reef Monitoring Unit, Research and Survey Range beautifully explained several issues like Man-Animal Conflict between Crocodiles and Humans, Rescue Efforts by the Forest Department, Tagging of Turtles for Documentation and Statistics, Tagging of Cobras, the essence of Coral Reefs and the significance that little children can play in conserving the flora and fauna in the Wandoor area. The children were mesmerized to know that turtles come all the way from Madagascar to lay eggs in the National park. He also explained about the three flagship species that the National Park beholds, The Corals, Turtles, and The Dugong, our State Animal.
Ms. Agnesia Dung Dung, a botanist by academics and a Programme Assistant with Dakshin Foundation, brought the session alive with her vibrant seminar on the mangroves ecosystem of the islands, and explained in very simple words, about the littoral forests as well as species from the mangrove areas.
Mr. Arun Singh, Founding member of Andaman Avians Club, who was a special invitee, showed a presentation on endemic and migratory birds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and gave nuggets of amazing information on sightings of rare species of birds. His ppt began with the slide of our State Bird. He mentioned sightings of birds from China and how these sightings are a rare phenomenon given cyclonic weather. Mr. Singh also quizzed the children on locations where they must have spotted common birds in the National park area like Beach Thick Knee and Egrets. He explained the difference between different Egrets as well as Serpent Eagles which are so common in the islands.
Mr. Irfan Ali, Programme Associate, Dakshin Foundation, took the children on a tour of the Interpretation centre and spent a lot of time to explain about each turtle species that inhabit the park. The children were pretty amazed to know that Crocodiles and Turtles are since the age of dinosaurs.
The camp ended with a gift of books called the Treasure Islands from INTACH A and N Chapter.
The camp was coordinated by Ms. Samhita Veda Acharya, Convenor, INTACH A & N Chapter with support from INTACH volunteers Ebi Mathew and Sajit Jaina and Mrs. Madhuri Mondal, Senior Programme Officer, Dakshin Foundation.