Also by Samiksh Bhowmik Sagar Mahotsav, a four-day celebration on understanding the intricacies of the marine ecosystem and its biodiversity, is set to start on January 9 in Ratnagiri. Various institutes and colleges from across the country will participate in this event. Ecological Society, a leading organisation in the field of ecological and environmental research and education, will present ground-breaking findings from their Coastal 2.0 project. The presentation will highlight the rich marine biodiversity of Maharashtra's coastline and address urgent conservation needs. The Centre for Sustainable Development at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics plans to present its findings on marine pollution and ecological benefits at the event. “People love having a vacation on the beach, but the ecosystem of the place or the biodiversity still remains a mystery to them,” said Pooja Sathe, a research associate with the Centre for Sustainable Development, who is all set to present her findings. “Sagar Mahotsav is perfect for anyone who wants to know all of that, like the creatures local to a coastline or the root cause of pollution, for example. It is a fair… but so much more.” Founded by renowned ecologist Mr Prakash Gole, The Ecological Society, brings over 25 years of expertise in ecological research and education to this significant marine conservation initiative. The organisation's latest research project, conducted in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Development at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, has documented more than 500 species of intertidal marine flora and fauna along Maharashtra's coast. "Our research reveals both the richness of Maharashtra's marine biodiversity and the urgent threats it faces from unsustainable tourism practices," said Dr Sayali Nerurkar, who will lead the presentation titled "Intertidal Marine Biodiversity of Maharashtra: A Treasure Under Threat." The research project study, spanning from May 2023 to August 2024, covered key coastal districts including Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Findings will contribute to developing policy guidelines for protecting coastal biodiversity while promoting sustainable tourism in the region. Visitors to Sagar Mahotsav can participate in several free activities like guided sandy shore walks, rocky shore exploration, the mangrove trail, and the interactive marine biodiversity exhibition. The exhibition will feature informative posters showcasing the diverse marine life found along Maharashtra's coast, including coral reefs, seaweeds, and various species of invertebrates and fish.
