Sri Vijaya Puram, November 9: The three-day training workshop on ‘Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of Island Ecosystems’, organised by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), A&N Regional Centre, concluded on November 7 with a valedictory function held at ZSI premises. Sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, under the ‘Environment Knowledge and Capacity Building’ initiative, the workshop was conducted from November 5 to 7 for Personnel of Other Services (Class II & III).
In his valedictory address, Prof. (Dr.) P.V. Nagendra Sarma, Principal, Andaman Law College, emphasised that biodiversity conservation is a shared responsibility that demands coordinated, collective and holistic efforts across Government Departments, scientific institutions and local communities.
Speaking as the special guest, Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment and Forests, highlighted the important role that personnel from different services could play in identifying, preventing and reporting illegal activities that threaten marine biodiversity and natural resources.
In his brief address, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Scientist-F, Officer-in-Charge and Course Director, ZSI/ANRC, emphasised that the conservation of the Islands’ unique terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems requires a coordinated approach involving scientific institutions, conservation agencies, administrative departments and local communities.
Attended by 30 participants representing various Government Departments, institutions and organisations, the workshop concluded with the distribution of participation certificates by the chief guest and the special guest, marking the successful completion of the three-day capacity-building programme.
