This year, the Rufford India Conference was held at the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET) research centre in Wandoor, South Andaman, around the central theme of marine and island ecosystems. There were seventeen presentations by researchers from ANET, Wildlife Conservation Society - India, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Dakshin Foundation, Nation Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Society for Integrated Rural Development (SFRID) and Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF).
The research was broadly focused on monitoring projects, analysing fisheries and their impact on marine life, documenting the population of different species and their threats, and raising awareness among communities about endangered species. Students from Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya and Pondicherry University were invited to interact with researchers and gain insights into ongoing research and conservation projects.
Participants were also taken to two fish landing sites where they could analyse what fish were being caught and in what proportion. They were also able to see the kinds of boats and fishing equipment being used.
In addition to this, Pooja Powar conducted a workshop on how birdwatchers could use their personal birdwatching logs to help build a global citizen-science database on bird sighting patterns, ranges and population status. This will help generate new data-driven approaches to science, conservation and education, she said.