Port Blair, April 1: A week long sensitization programme on Dugong and Nature Conservation organised by CAMPA-Dugong Project, Wildlife Institute of India concluded today at Bageecha. The sensitization programme was organised in association with Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi and 4 Seasons.

During the week-long programme, children from various Child Care Institutions viz. Love Children’s Home, Capstone, Pranab Kanya Sangha, Seva Niketan and children in general were made aware of their state animal i.e. Dugong. The awareness sessions included video presentation, games, colouring, interactive sessions, selfie with Dugong and Dugong Mascot, which made the programme a fun and learning experience for all present.

Ms. Swapnali Gole and Mr. Sumit Prajapati, Researchers from CAMPA-Dugong Project explained in detail about the state animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the need to protect them. Unlike other places, the population of Dugong in the Islands range only from 25-30, making them an endangered species. Moreover, human threats like hunting, boat accidents and sea pollution increases the changes of Dugongs getting extinct in the Islands.

Mr. Mandeep Grewal, Founder and President, Port Blair Guru Ki Rasoi later interacted with the children and explained the importance of organising such workshops, which is also a rare opportunity for our children.

Mr. Denis Giles from Bageecha on the occasion explained the need for conservation of mother nature. He also urged the participants to adopt a plant and learn how to take care of them.

At the end of the session, Mr. Ashwar Pal Singh of 4 Seasons and other volunteers present distributed certificates of participation to the children, which is also a reminder to the children that they need to spread the message to as many as possible in the need to protect Dugongs and do their bits towards conserving mother nature.