Port Blair, Oct 5: As part of 61st Wildlife week Celebration, Animal feeding programme was organized at the Mini Zoo, Haddo Monday in which about 85 participants from various schools of South Andaman participated. Dr. Sam Varghese, Senior Veterinary Officer (WL) explained about the behaviour of birds and animals and their feeding pattern. They were also briefed about the feeding techniques. The students were given a firsthand experience of feeding Pigeons, Eagles and turtles by Mr Laxman, Animal attendant. They were made to witness the adrenalin pumping site of Crocodile and Python feeding. The Range Officer, Mr Suresh Vengappan of Zoo Range welcomed the gathering and
A Nature Camp was also held at Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Wandoor in association with Andaman Tourist Boat Association. About 63 students and 13 Teachers from 10 different schools of Port Blair and rural areas of South Andaman were taken to Marine Interpretation Centre. Mr C.A. Majeed, ACF (WL) briefed about the MGMNP and need of the conservation of Forest and Wildlife. Participants were taken to Red Skin Island of the National Park and were shown the corals and other treasures of underwater. The students enjoyed the nature education through expert talk, bird watching, glass bottom ride etc. They were taught about individual’s responsibility to care for the nature by appreciating natural wealth of this fragile island ecosystem and ways to conserve them.
A quiz competition was also conducted among the participants and J. Kamlesh of Ummat Public School bagged 1st Position, Aditya Raj Singh of VKV, Lamabaline bagged 2nd Position, S.Sarvanan of Sr.Sec.School, Garacharama bagged 3rd Position, Bikram Roy of G.M.S. Sippighat, S. Ashwin & T. Karthik of VKV, Lambaline and Mohd. Atique of Ummat Public School were given Consolation Prizes. Special Prize for best Observer was given to Salini Priya of G.S.S Manglutan.
Another Nature Camp was held at Mount Harriet National Park in association with Andaman Association of Tour Operators by involving 50 students and 5 teachers from rural schools. Shri Rajendar Verma, Instructor from Forest training Institute along with executive staff of the Department imparted nature education.
Members from both Tourist Operators Associations had spoken about responsible tourism in Andaman. A quiz was also conducted among the Participants and A.P. Wajida of MES School bagged 1st Position, K. Govinda Rao of Vitala Public School bagged 2nd Position, Amisha Surin of Vitala Public School bagged 3rd Position, Manikadan & Abhisekh Raj From Vitala Public School & Aditya Nath from MES School were given Consolation Prizes.
