Conducted a research study for Vikas Adhyayan Kendra (VAK), Bombay, on the impact of climate change on the livelihood opportunities of fishing communities in Poonthura fishing village in Trivandrum District, Kerala, India. This study emphasized the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The research highlighted how climate change exacerbated challenges for local fishing communities, threatening marine biodiversity, fishing yields, and the sustainability of livelihoods. The findings advocated for integrated climate action to safeguard coastal ecosystems and promote resilient, sustainable livelihoods for these communities.
Participated in the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) and carried out a series of activities, including seminars, interfacing between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and environmental experts on biodiversity, photo exhibitions, discussions, and documentation. These efforts aimed to address pressing issues related to marine pollution, coastal waste management, and domestic waste management in Vizhinjam coastal village, Trivandrum District. The activities focused on raising awareness about the environmental challenges facing the coastal community and promoting sustainable practices to reduce pollution and improve waste management systems.
Engaged in collective actions for biodiversity conservation through workshops and the distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on coastal conservation to the coastal population in Trivandrum District. The initiative sought to foster collaboration between CSOs and environmental experts to enhance awareness of the importance of biodiversity protection, especially in coastal areas.
Organized a photography competition focused on biodiversity to encourage local communities to capture and showcase the diverse ecosystems in their surroundings. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the richness of local marine biodiversity and promote its conservation through visual storytelling.
Curated an exhibition titled "Many Species, One Planet, One Earth," which showcased the importance of preserving marine biodiversity for the health of the planet. The exhibition highlighted the interconnectedness of all species and the critical role of protecting marine biodiversity to ensure a sustainable future. It served as an educational platform for the public to understand the significance of marine biodiversity conservation.
Participated in the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) and organized a seminar on Organic Homestead Farming in a coastal village in Trivandrum. The seminar focused on the benefits of organic composting as a method to reduce coastal pollution and, by extension, marine pollution. The initiative aimed to promote sustainable agricultural practices that can help mitigate the negative environmental impacts of chemical fertilizers and improve the overall health of coastal ecosystems.
As part of the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC), organized a seminar on coastal environmental protection and coordinated an exposure visit for social workers and activists to 10 coastal villages affected by erosion and accretion due to man-made construction activities along the coastal belt. The visit focused on observing and documenting shoreline changes, raising awareness about the impacts of human interventions on coastal ecosystems, and discussing potential solutions to address these challenges.
Played an active role in the formation of the Consortium for Coastal Environment (CCE), aimed at providing consistent interventions in coastal environmental issues. Participated in an exposure visit to Cudalloor in Tamil Nadu to study the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) experiment on arresting shoreline changes. This visit provided valuable insights into scientific approaches to combating coastal erosion and protecting vulnerable shorelines.
Conducted exposure visits to coastal villages in Alappuzha District, Kerala, where there is significant potential for coastal organic vegetable cultivation. These visits focused on promoting organic farming as a means to reduce marine pollution by eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers, encouraging more sustainable agricultural practices to protect coastal and marine ecosystems.
Implemented projects on Vermi Composting, Kitchen Gardening, and Sanitary Latrines along coastal areas to promote sustainable environmental and development practices. These initiatives aimed to manage and reduce coastal pollution by encouraging waste recycling, improving household sanitation, and fostering environmentally friendly agricultural practices in coastal communities.
Facilitated an interaction on marine scuba diving experience and findings between a group of students and a female scuba diver at Kovalam Beach in Trivandrum District. This experience provided students with firsthand insights into the marine ecosystem, deepening their understanding of the importance of marine conservation and the challenges facing coastal environments.
From January 2003 to June 2024, Adhwana implemented a women’s empowerment project in seven coastal areas of Trivandrum, in partnership with Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS), Calcatta Ondoan (Spain), and local bodies in Trivandrum Municipal Corporation. The project focused on empowering housewives, fish-vending women, adolescents, and fishermen by forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs), forums, and federated higher groups. These groups worked on coastal environmental conservation activities, with key outcomes including enhanced knowledge and skills in organic gardening, marine ecosystems, sustainable fishing, waste management, and coastal environmental responsibility. The project contributed to gender equity and community-based actions for environmental sustainability.
Adhwana, in collaboration with the Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS) and the Italian Bishops Conference, supported the reconstruction and development efforts for the victims of the Ockhi cyclone in Trivandrum, India. The initiative focused on providing immediate relief, rebuilding livelihoods, and addressing the long-term needs of the affected traditional fishing communities. Through various support programs, the initiative not only facilitated recovery but also contributed to the sustainable development of these communities, ensuring their ability to thrive while safeguarding marine biodiversity and ecosystems for future generations.
Organized a discourse and dialogue on Marine Resource Diversity in association with the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS), Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, Kerala University, India. The event facilitated discussions on the importance of preserving marine biodiversity, addressing challenges in sustainable fishing practices, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders to protect marine ecosystems.
Organized an interface between a trained and certified scuba diver and Vidyadarshan students at Kovalam, Trivandrum, to learn about life below water. This interactive session aimed to educate students on marine ecosystems, highlighting the significance of underwater biodiversity and the importance of marine conservation.
Maintained constant interaction and cooperation with Friends of Marine Life (FML) and Scuba Cochin, conducting underwater studies and conservation projects. This collaboration focused on promoting marine biodiversity conservation through research, monitoring, and community engagement.
Interacted with women participants of a waste management project in collaboration with PCFML and FML. The exposure visit aimed to showcase the community's efforts in managing solid waste and fostering sustainable waste management practices in coastal fishing communities.
Actively participated in the celebrations and programs (public meetings, discussions, study sessions) in connection with World Fisheries Day. This event served as a platform to highlight the issues faced by traditional fishermen and the small-scale fisheries sector. It also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges affecting marine ecosystems and to emphasize the importance of sustainable fisheries management.
Actions and efforts have been strengthened by like-minded stakeholders in India working on environmental conservation, particularly marine ecosystem. They include NGOs, CSOs, FBOs, Governments, Grassroot Women’s Organizations and traditiona Fishermen Associations.
