Sri Vijay Puram, July 20: Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre organised a three-day training workshop on Awareness and Promotion of Life Activities under the “Training of Personnel of Other Stakeholders” for the Teachers of Andaman & Nicobar Islands sponsored by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change during 17th – 19th July, 2025. A total of 26 teachers from 14 schools across South Andaman participated in the workshop. The workshop featured a series of insightful lectures along with field based practical exposure focused on the identification and assessment of intertidal marine faunal diversity at Burmanallah. In addition, a field visit to the Biological Park at Chidiyatapu was organized to provide participants with a broader understanding of the region’s endemic fauna.
The valedictory function of the three-day training workshop held on 19th July, 2025, Dr. S. Dinesh Kannan, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Department of Environment & Forests, A & N Islands delivered valedictory address as a Chief Guest.
In his address, Dr. Dinesh Kannan commended the ZSI/ANRC team for putting on such an entertaining and effective session. He acknowledged the ZSI’s persistent work in advancing biodiversity education and environmental consciousness throughout the islands. He highlighted the growing global relevance of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a visionary project launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in 2021. He emphasised that understanding is the primary prerequisite for good environmental behaviour and emphasised the value of conscious consumption over careless exploitation of natural resources.
Since one teacher can affect hundreds of children and raise awareness of environmental responsibility, Dr. Dinesh Kannan also praised the workshop’s emphasis on school teachers as the target group. He emphasised Mission LiFE 2.0’s ongoing plantation project, which encourages all students to plant a seedling alongside their parents. He encouraged educators to get involved in this program and work with the island-wide forest nurseries to arrange for seedlings. In order to keep training sessions relevant and engaging, he also recommended using a variety of themes and presenters in future sessions. He ended by expressing gratitude to the ZSI-ANRC for the invitation and for being a part of a program that significantly advances community empowerment and environmental education.
Earlier, Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge & Course Director, ANRC-ZSI welcomed and thanked all of the dignitaries for accepting the invitation and attending. He urged the audience to raise awareness among kids and other educators throughout his speech. He further underlined that it is our shared duty to protect the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ distinctive and delicate biodiversity, paying particular attention to endemic species that are unique to these islands. The chief guests and dignitaries distributed the certificates to the participants.