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| Reefwatch |
 Reef
Watch Marine Conservation (RWMC) is a non-profit
Non Government Organization (NGO), registered as
a Public Charitable Trust under the Societies Registration
Act. Established in 1993 as a Research and Education
organization, RWMC is run by Mitali Dutt Kakar,
and has its Headquarters in Mumbai. RWMC was
founded by a group of enthusiastic SCUBA Divers,
whose experiences with the delicate life forms
and fragile ecosystems of the ocean urged them
to work towards their protection and conservation.
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Objectives
of RWMC:
- To conduct and execute multi-disciplinary
targeted research and conservation projects.
- To develop and conduct education, awareness,
training and capacity building programmes among
all stakeholders.
- To document and promote traditional knowledge
in the management and sustainable utilization
of marine resources.
- To develop an Information Network of institutions
and individuals working on marine and coastal
issues.
- To provide environmental information / education
to visitors.
- To provide policy support and advocacy to
the concerned Ministries and Departments of
the Government of India, International Bodies,
Academic and other Institutions.
- To facilitate a dialogue and consensus at
various levels for conservation, management
and sustainable utilization of coastal and marine
resources / ecosystems.
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| RWMC work focuses
principally on marine and coastal conservation.
The RWMC research team, led by Marine Biologist,
Dr. Sarang Kulkarni, has done extensive work in
monitoring and documenting spatio-temporal changes
in coral reef ecosystems in the Andaman & Nicobar
Islands and in the Lakshadweep Islands. RWMC also
addresses alternative livelihood issues among coastal
communities through eco-tourism. Initiatives are
on in Gujarat (Whale Shark Conservation and Eco-tourism)
and Maharashtra. RWMC has been doing research on
endangered marine animals and critical habitats
for their effective conservation and management,
and has been instrumental in getting legal protection
to several marine endangered species under Indian
Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Along with research,
RWMC is also active in the field of awareness and
education, assisting Forest Departments of coastal
areas in capacity building to protect and monitor
endangered marine animals and their habitats. Key
areas of RWMC work include training Marine Conservation
Management Authorities such as the Indian Navy,
Coast Guard and the Department of Environment and
Forests in the field of SCUBA Diving and conservation
strategies.
In Mumbai, RWMC initiated an awareness drive
on the accumulation of plastic and other debris
on our beaches through 2 ocean clean-up events.
RWMC conducts awareness drives in schools from
time to time. With the support of M/s. Pidilite
Industries Ltd., RWMC is now in the process of
creating a Forum to understand the factors contributing
to the pollution of coastal waters around the
city. This initiative is enlisting participation
from the Municipal Administration, The Pollution
Control Board, Industry, Science & Technology,
citizens' representatives and others to derive
a holistic perspective on the problem, and to
suggest control measures.
RWMC believes in maintaining a balance of short
term goals and long term investments for better
management and conservation of our oceans. RWMC's
mission is to translate scientific concern to
popular understanding; an integrated movement
to protect and nurture the diversity of life on
earth can take place only when the oceans are
part of our consciousness. |
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