The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, through its Research and Training (RT) Division, has been actively promoting capacity building among Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers on coastal and marine biodiversity conservation. As part of this initiative, NCSCM conducted a one-week compulsory training programme titled “Coral Reef and Seagrass: Ecology, Conservation, and Management” for IFS Officers from 13th to 17th January 2025 at Lakshadweep.

The training was organised in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Forest, Union Territory Administration of Lakshadweep (UTLA). The programme included technical lectures, hands-on field exposure, and interactive discussions with coastal biodiversity experts. 27 senior IFS Officers attended the training programme across the country.

The training programme was structured to blend theoretical insights with field-based learning. Key topics covered included:

• Coral reef and seagrass ecosystem ecology and distribution
• Biodiversity values and ecosystem services
• Climate change impacts and coral bleaching
• Restoration approaches and policy frameworks
• GIS, remote sensing and habitat monitoring methods

Subject experts from premier institutions, including NCSCM, Department of Science and Technology, Dept of Environment and Forest, Lakshadweep, Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, and Department of Environment & Forest, Govt. of Tamil Nadu delivered the lectures. Field visits were arranged to Tinnakara, Perumal Par, and Pitti Island, where participants observed live coral colonies, seagrass meadows, and engaged in reef walks and birdwatching.

The training programme achieved its intended objectives by building awareness and capacity among IFS officers. Participants gained scientific and practical knowledge vital for the conservation and management of coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems. The immersive exposure to Lakshadweep’s rich marine biodiversity reinforced the urgency for integrated coastal ecosystem management in the face of climate change.