Turtle Newsletter No. 13

Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Centre

Background of the organisation: Activities:

The Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Pitti Bird Sanctuary Conservation: Centre (LMRCC) was formed on 16 January 2008, the International Year of Coral Reefs. The organisation Pitti Bird Sanctuary is the only oceanic tern nesting was established by a group young islanders, and sanctuary in and the only protected area in it is the first organisation in Lakshadweep that Lakshadweep under the Indian Wildlife Protection has a primary focus on community based marine Act (1972). The main economic activity of pole and conservation. The vision of LMRCC is to achieve line tuna fishing in the islands is directly dependent “A sustainably progressing Lakshadweep where on the existence of terns. We work closely with the marine ecosystems are healthy and well managed”. fishing community to reduce the threats to these birds on the island. Objectives: Marine Turtle Conservation: The main objectives of the LMRCC are: Lakshadweep has a significant population of the • To develop as a centre of excellence in marine endangered green and hawksbill turtles. Increasing research and conservation. tourism and fishing activities in the islands have started to have negative impacts on the turtles and • To conserve the flora and fauna of Lakshadweep their habitats. We work with the local community, through community participation. school students, fishermen and the Forest Department to reduce the threats to these ocean ambassadors Where we work: through education and awareness programmes.

LMRCC is registered as a society and its office Environmental Education: is situated in , the capital of the U.T. of Lakshadweep. Currently, we work in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep follows the school curriculum of Agatti and Pitti Bird Sanctuary. We organise sea the neighbouring state of Kerala, and this denies turtle and bird surveys in the uninhabited islands of the island students a chance to learn about their Bangaram, Thinnaka, Parali and Suheli. immediate environment, the coral reefs. We have

January 2011 13 Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 13 developed educational resources on coral reefs and interested groups. We have received financial and their conservation under our SEACOLOGY assistance from, ATREE, SEACOLOGY and the funded programme, which students are encouraged Department of Environment and Forests, U.T of to use along with their existing curriculum. An Lakshadweep. Environmental Education programme for conserving the Pitti bird sanctuary is operational in two islands Role within the network: with financial assistance from ATREE’s Small Grants Programme. This education programme As a member of TAG, we see our role to include: has been well received by the schools and the local community. • Acting as the Lakshadweep focal point of TAG, and to organise collaborative research, Fishermen Empowerment Programme: conservation and advocacy programmes for sea turtle conservation in the islands. We work closely with fisherman associations in • Strengthening the network by training local islands by providing technical and scientific advice groups from the Lakshadweep Islands to carry on matters of coastal development and livelihoods out sea turtle conservation activities in their issues. We also help them to voice their concerns respective islands. at national platforms by linking them with national • Coordinating a local network in Lakshadweep organisations in the country. to strengthen the objectives of the national network. Lakshadweep Dive Club: Benefits from TAG: This initiative is organised to provide a common platform to scuba divers from Lakshadweep and The diversity of organisational partners in TAG also involve them in marine conservation. Divers will provide an excellent platform for learning from can collect valuable data which will help in reef each other’s experience. conservation; they can also teach tourists the value of coral reefs and make them supporters of The lack of media attention to Lakshadweep often conservation. sidelines conservation issues in the islands; the network will therefore provide an excellent platform Networking: to make the voice of the islands heard by national and international audiences. LMRCC partners with many local, national and international organisations for marine conservation. Contributed by Jafer Hisham, Chief Executive We work with TAG-India, Indian Bird Conservation Officer, LMRCC. Network (IBCN), the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Dakshin Contact information: Foundation, TREE Foundation, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Reef Watch Marine Jafer Hisham, Chief Executive Officer, LMRCC. Conservation, CARESS, SEACOLOGY, PADI Project, AWARE Foundation, WWF India, IUCN Postal address: and the Department of Fisheries, Environment and Lakshadweep Marine Research and Conservation Forests of the Lakshadweep Administration. Centre (LMRCC), Conservation Education Centre, Pittiyathala, Kavaratti Island - 682555 Support for the organisation: U.T of Lakshadweep Phone: + 91 9447048400; 9746544553 Most of the activities of the organisation are Email: [email protected] supported by voluntary contributions from members Website: www.lmrcc.in

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