ICAR-CCARI Goa Participated in National Conference on “Mangroves for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainability of Coastal Populace”

ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa, actively participated in the National Conference on “Mangroves for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainability of Coastal Populace.” This conference was jointly organized by the Department of Botany at Ponda Education Society's Ravi S. Naik College of Arts and Science, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Mangrove Society of India, the Goa State Biodiversity Board, and the Goa State Pollution Control Board. The event was held from 26-27 July 2024 in Ponda, Goa.Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director of ICAR-CCARI Goa, served as the Chief Guest for the inaugural function. In his inaugural address, Dr. Kumar highlighted the significance of celebrating the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, as endorsed by UNESCO. He emphasized the critical role of mangroves in supporting coastal populations and the urgent need for their conservation. Dr. Kumar further stressed the importance of ecosystem services provided by mangroves. He elaborated on the potential for promoting coastal resilience through capacity building and awareness programs. Dr. Kumar suggested that agro-techniques such as integrated farming systems, the cultivation of salt-tolerant crop varieties, and sustainable agro-ecotourism could be instrumental in achieving this goal through a multi-sectoral approach.

Dr, Vikas Pissurlekar, Principal, College of Arts and Science highlighted various roles of mangroves and advantages to human society. Shri Ritesh Naik, Secretary of Ponda Education Society, underscored the college's ongoing efforts in mangrove conservation and the broader need for biodiversity and natural resource conservation. The conference saw the participation of scientists, students, teachers, farmers, policymakers, financial institutions, business representatives, and community members. The technical program included various sessions focusing on mangrove conservation and management, providing a platform for comprehensive scientific deliberation. From ICAR-CCARI, Goa, Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, along with Shri Trivesh Mayekar and Dr. Sreekanth G. B. (Scientist), attended and actively participated in the conference. The event attracted over 100 students and delegates from Goa and across India.The participation of ICAR-CCARI Goa in this conference reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing climate change and promoting the sustainability of coastal communities through scientific research and collaborative efforts.