Sri Vijaya Puram, May 16: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, concluded two three-month certificate courses conducted under the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP), an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change aimed at promoting green skills and environmental awareness among youth.
The valedictory programme for the courses titled “Junior Para-Taxonomist” and “Nature Conservator cum Ecotourism Guide” was held on May 15 at the ZSI regional centre in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The training programme commenced on January 21 and concluded on April 13 this year. The courses were organised through the EIACP Centre on Island Biodiversity functioning under the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre of ZSI.
A total of 41 participants completed the programme, including 20 trainees under the Junior Para-Taxonomist course and 21 under the Nature Conservator cum Ecotourism Guide course.
The courses focused on biodiversity conservation, environmental education, taxonomy, wildlife awareness and ecotourism-related activities relevant to island ecosystems and nature-based sectors.
Participants underwent both classroom sessions and field-based practical training during the three-month programme.
The training covered subjects including taxonomy, biodiversity documentation, ecosystem awareness, medicinal plants, nursery techniques, GIS applications, conservation issues and environmental interpretation.
Field visits and practical exposure sessions were conducted across forest and wetland ecosystems in South, Middle and North Andaman Islands. Participants were also trained in nature interpretation, ecotourism practices and biodiversity-related survey methods.
Lectures and practical sessions were conducted by scientists, researchers and invited resource persons from different disciplines during the course period.
Sanjay Kumar Sinha attended the valedictory function as the chief guest.
During his address, he stated that the Green Skill Development Programme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2017 under the Skill India Mission in coordination with the National Skill Development Agency.
He stated that the programme aims to create a technically skilled workforce in areas connected with forests, wildlife, biodiversity and environmental sectors while also supporting employment opportunities linked to sustainable development.
The programme also discussed the role of green skills in addressing climate change, environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
The chief guest also inaugurated a QR Code Digital Museum developed at the Zoological Museum of ZSI during the event.
The QR-enabled museum allows visitors to scan digital codes using smartphones to access additional information, multimedia content and species-related educational material connected to museum exhibits. The system also includes accessibility features such as text-to-speech support for visually impaired visitors. The Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre is the first ZSI centre to develop a QR code digital museum.
C. Sivaperuman, while speaking during the programme, said the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre has conducted six batches of Green Skill Development training programmes since 2017. He stated that trainees from earlier batches have gone on to work in government departments, research institutions and ecotourism-related sectors, while some have pursued higher studies and research careers.
The programme concluded with distribution of course completion certificates to all trainees who successfully completed the training programme.
