Burmanallah, Nov. 17: Dakshin Foundation/ Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team (ANET), successfully conducted an intertidal event at Burmanallah involving students from the Zoology Department of the Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Sri Vijaya Puram. The engagement, which was conceptualised and facilitated with the help of Fateh Jahaan Singh Dhaliwal of Shri Ram School, Moulsari, Gurgaon offered the students a unique opportunity to explore and understand the rich biodiversity of these dynamic local ecosystems. Dr. Vivek Kumar Sahu and Dr. Sant Kumar from JNRM mobilised participation by the students and worked with researchers from ANET to make the event a success.
The event included an intertidal ‘bioblitz’ during which as many marine organisms were recorded and photographed, and an interactive learning activity and competition called “Beach Bingo” that was designed introduced to enhance student engagement and field-based observation skills. Over the course of the intense, two-hour collaborative activity, teams were tasked with completing their assignments by spotting and identifying the marine animals featured on their checklists as well as recording any new organisms encountered by each team. The bioblitz and the game provided an opportunity for the students to complement their classroom knowledge with a practical experience that encouraged them to explore their surroundings closely and observe intertidal organisms in their natural habitat.
Participants expressed great enthusiasm and enjoyment as they encountered a variety of intertidal creatures and learned about the environments they inhabit. This initiative underscores the importance of fostering marine conservation knowledge and values among young learners, helping students develop a deeper understanding of coastal ecosystems and their challenges, and building a cohort of young environmental stewards for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.