A unique migration of Malaysian ornithologists to the Pallikaranai Ramsar Site and Adyar Poonga took place in the summer heat of Apr.19 and 20, heralding the advent of Earth Day on Apr.22.
“Every day is Earth Day, when our concerns are clear to stand up to save our Fragile Earth,” was the welcome note from Dipankar Ghose – Founder and Mentor of Prakruthi Eco Care Group, to the members of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), who flocked to jointly explore the ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation of the wetland habitats and marshlands.
Prakruthi along with Dr.T.D.Babu – Chief Knowledge Officer and Trustee of Nizhal, and Dr.S.Arivazhagan – Deputy Director of Chennai Snake Park conducted a birding expedition for eight top Malaysian Naturalists, led by veteran Dr.Vincent Chow Kok Kow and accompanied by Dr.Sivapragash Periannan and Dr.Tony Wong, in and around Chennai.
The eco conservationists from across Malaysian, with a wide ranging background from birding to mangrove restoration, appreciated the activities of Pasumai Tamizhagam and Wetland Mission. They look forward, through Prakruthi and MNS, to network on international internship and voluntourism that could help to propagate concepts like Wetland Mitra. “These will help in furthering the sustainable development goals,” concluded Dr.Kow. The guests visited Nelapattu, Annamalaicheri, Adyar Poonga, Pallikaranai Marshland Conservatory, Kovalam Creek, Vedanthangal, and Karakili.
Similar biodiversity conservation programs are planned between Prakruthi and Chennai Snake Park, including a state level workshop for administrators and service providers on biodiversity conservation through ecotourism, on World Biodiversity Day (May 22). For more information, contact 73959 17040.
