What Happened at the Fisherfolk Workshop on Horseshoe Crab Conservation?

Fisherfolk Unite for Horseshoe Crab Conservation

Bhubaneswar: A workshop focused on the conservation of Horseshoe Crabs took place in Bichitrapur, an area known for its delicate mangrove ecosystem.

This initiative was backed by ECRICC, a project funded collaboratively by the UNDP and the Green Climate Fund.

More than 90 participants from the fisherfolk community attended the workshop, aiming to enhance awareness regarding the critical conservation needs of Horseshoe Crabs and the threats they face.

The event commenced with a detailed presentation by Biswajeet Panda from Bikash Saathi, who discussed the various challenges confronting the species and its coastal environments.

Dipak Kumar Dey, a subject matter expert from the ECRICC project, shared insights on conservation methods, government fishery initiatives, and sustainable development practices.

Pratima Sen, an assistant livelihood officer, highlighted the fishing community's role in protecting endangered species.

Umasankar Panda, a local FNGO leader, provided information on welfare programs available for the fisherfolk and emphasized the need for proper disposal of ghost nets.

Kiranbala Jena, the local Sarpanch, commended the organizers for their efforts in fostering conservation at the community level.

The workshop saw participation from local VSS members, SHGs, fisherfolk, forest officials, and PRI representatives.

The event was efficiently coordinated by Tapan Kumar Dey, Pradeep Patra, Gopal Chandra Dutta, and Harish Chandra Behera.