Goa Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development, Ella Farm Old Goa, organized five-day training Program on “Impact of Climate Change on Natural Resources” from 18th – 22nd July, 2022. The session was held from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The main objective of the training Program was to enhance the knowledge on SDG Goal number-13 viz Action to combat Climate Change and to discuss various ways of handling Environmental Issues. Ms. Arlette Mascarenhas, Course Director of GIPARD welcomed the participants and briefed them about the five-day training program.
Day One: 18th July 2022
The Resource Person for first session was Dr. Karuna Sharma, Freelance Environmental Consultant & Functional Area Expert for Ecology &Bio-diversity. She informed the audience about the SDGs, Paris Climate Agreement and also stressed on Goal no 13 of SDGs Action to combat Climate Change. The second session was delivered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Chief Scientist (Rtd) at NIO. He showed a video that highlighted the difference between Climate and Weather. He spoke about the direct and indirect effects of climate change and the different factors affecting the climate change. The third session was delivered by Dr. Pranoy Baidya, Ecologist Scientific Consultant for CRZ Goa. He spoke about the role of youth and teachers in the climate change battles. He highlighted the problems faced by the animals and other organisms during the natural calamities. He concluded by informing the audience that the sea level is rising continuously at a constant rate since 1950. The last session was by Mr. Paresh Porob, Asst. Conservator of Forest. He explained the various ancient means and practices adopted by the ancestors to protect the forest. He also elaborated various Acts enforced by the Supreme Court and Indian government to safeguard our forests and species.
Day Two: 19th July 2022
In the morning session, a visit was organized to Morjim Turtle Nesting Conservation Site. Ms. Harshada Gauns gave a brief introduction about the Ocean Biodiversity at Conservation Centre Morjim, followed by the visit to turtle conservation site. Dr. Pronoy Baidya explained the process of laying of eggs by Turtles and the importance of sand dunes. Ms. Harshada Gauns, Dr. Pronoy Baidya and Jalmesh Karapurkar from Arannya Environment Research Organization accompanied us from Conservation Site to Chapora Estuary. In the afternoon session, a visit was arranged to Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao. Harshada Gauns spoke about the Mangroves as buffers of Climate Change.
Day Three: 20th July 2022
The first session was delivered by Prof. F.M. Nadaf, Deputy Director of Higher Education, Goa. He spoke on factors responsible for global warming & climate change, impact of global warming on Goa’s beaches and the impact of Khazan ecosystem in Goa. The second session was delivered by Mr. Sujeet Kumar Dongre, Program Coordinator, CEE Goa State. He stressed on Climate change and bio-diversity. He elaborated the importance of forests, rivers, plateaus, oceans, tidal forests, mud flash, grassland in conserving and protecting the flora and fauna in each ecosystem. Dr. Sachin Tendulkar Chief Executive Officer, Mineral Foundation of Goa was the Resource Person for the third session. Dr. Tendulkar explained the impact & consequence of climate change not only on human beings but also on plants, animals, birds and other living organisms. In the fourth session Mr. Francis X. Araujo, Rtd Dy. Conservator of Forest, Dept of Forest explained about the Solid Waste Management crisis and its impact on Climate change.
Day Four: 21st July 2022
A visit was arranged to Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem. We were accompanied by Mr. Francis X. Araujo, Rtd Dy. Conservator of Forest, Dept of Forest, Ms. Harshada Gauns, Dr. Pronoy Baidya and Jalmesh Karapurkar from Arannya Environment Research Organization and Core faculty of GIPARD Ms. Arlette Mascarenhas. Mr. Francis informed about the forest ecosystems and its importance as reservoirs of biodiversity. In the afternoon session a visit was done to Tamdi Surla Temple and surrounding forests to understand cultural perspective of biodiversity.
Day Five: 22nd July 2022
Mr. Roshan Mathias, Executive Member of Goa Foundation was the first speaker who explained the importance of CRZ to combat climate change. He also gave a concise explanation of CRZ with respect to rivers and oceans and also different types of CRZ zones. The second session was delivered by Dr. Manoj Borkar, Associate Professor &Head of Department of Zoology, Carmel College of Arts, Science & Commerce for Women, Nuvem. He explained some best practices to combat climate change. He strongly advocated the 4 R’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse the single use plastic. He also urged the participants to make use of renewable resources and segregate the different types of waste. Dr. Manoj advised the participants that they must adopt a sustainable way of living. The Last session of the five-day program was delivered by Mr. Mahesh Patil, Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board. He explained the legal Acts and shared that State government has started online noise, water and air pollution mapping and monitoring to reduce the carbon footprints on the earth.
Overall, the session was very interesting and interactive. The participants were very enthusiastic throughout the session. Mr. Mahesh Patil, Chairman of Goa State Pollution Control Board was the Chief Guest for the Valedictory function who gave the participants certificates and a CD.
The session was attended by Assistant Professor in Economics, Ms. Pretty Louiza Pereira and Mr. Sanjay Velip.
