one-week training course on ‘Conservation and Management of Coastal Ecosystems’ for officers of Indian Coast Guard

Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, FRI organizing a one-week training course on ‘Conservation and Management of Coastal Ecosystems’ for officers of Indian Coast Guard. The purpose of this training course is to develop an understanding of the issues related to coastal biodiversity and its management. The training course is being attended by 12 officers of Goa, Gujrat, West Bengal, Andman and Nicobar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and New Delhi. The Director, FRI, Dr. Renu Singh, in her inaugural address, expressed her views on importance of coastal ecosystem and its management. Dr. Singh mentioned that coastal areas around the globe are under tremendous pressure due to several economic and industrial activities. These pressures are threatening to the ecological stability of the coastal ecosystem. She emphasised that climate change is also affecting coastal and marine ecosystems by increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, raising sea levels, raising sea surface temperatures, and causing ocean acidification. The impact of climate change especially sea level rise on coastal biodiversity, communities and agricultural output is projected to be significant. Therefore, its conservation and management is the need of hour. In the end, wished for a fruitful and successful event. The training started with a welcome address by Dr. V. P. Panwar, Head, Forest Ecology & Climate Change Division. All Head of Divisions, IFS Officers, Scientists, Dean FRI Deemed to be University, Registrar FRI Deemed to be University, Registrar FRI, Technical Staff of the Institute attended the inaugural session of the course. Session concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Abhishek K. Verma Course Coordinator of the training programme. The training programme will go on for one week in which eminent resource persons will be sharing their experiences and knowledge on the coastal biodiversity and management. Two Field tour will be arranged to Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary in Mussoorie and Jhilmil Jheel in Haridwar to expose the officers to the conservation and management of the biodiversity.