Wandoor, May 24: The District Child Protection Unit South Andaman, under District Administration in collaboration with Department of Environment and Forest observed International Day for Biological Diversity by conducting awareness program for the children of Child Care Institutions at Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Wandoor, on 22nd May 2024 under the supervision of Shri Sandeep Divya Jyoti Behera, IFS, DFO, Wildlife, Haddo.

The main focus of the program was to create awareness among the children towards biodiversity. Biodiversity education is crucial for future generations, and children play a key role in this process. Teaching them the importance of biodiversity is the impactful way to bring them closer to the wonder of nature.

Children were taken to the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Wandoor, to provide them platform for experiencing outstanding beauty and the knowledge of marine life. The program started with screening of a short documentary movie on Marine Life called “Secrets of Deep”. The documentary contains the information of different species like marine fauna, corals, fishes, marine animals, land fauna, flora etc.

Thereafter, the children had the privilege to visit the museum and watch different kind of species, those playing an important role to maintain ecological balance. The team of Forest Department provided an informative and interactive session on Protection and Conservation of the biodiversity highlighting about the State animal, turtle hatching, coral reefs, mangroves and 300 species of fishes occurs in this park.

Altogether 25 children actively participated in the program and enhanced their knowledge about biodiversity and had a unique opportunity to connect with the nature and develop sensitivity towards nurturing the environment.