Sri Vijaya Puram: The Directorate of Information, Publicity, and Tourism of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is set to host a public lecture on July 5, 2025, as part of its ongoing awareness series aimed at promoting environmental literacy and sustainable tourism practices across the islands.
Titled ‘Mangroves of Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Nature’s Coastal Warrior-Resilience & Coastal Protection’, the session will be delivered by Dr. Sandeep Behera, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). The lecture is scheduled at 11 a.m. at the Training Hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management in Sri Vijaya Puram. It will focus on the ecological importance of mangroves in coastal protection, their role as biodiversity hotspots, and their integration into eco-tourism frameworks.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to mainstream conservation thinking within the tourism and education sectors. According to the Directorate, mangroves act as natural buffers against coastal erosion and extreme weather and play a crucial role in supporting marine life and local livelihoods. The lecture seeks to enhance public understanding of these functions while linking them to sustainable tourism opportunities.
Students, tourism operators, and members of the public are being invited to attend and participate. The session will include an overview of how mangrove ecosystems are being positioned nationally as models for conservation-based tourism. The Directorate aims to encourage tourism practices that do not compromise ecological balance and support long-term resilience.
This lecture is part of a series being organised throughout the year to showcase the environmental assets of the islands. The programme has previously featured experts in wildlife biology, marine ecosystems, and rural tourism planning. Each session is designed to inform and engage various stakeholder groups, from school students to tourism professionals.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, home to some of India’s most extensive mangrove forests, have been included in various national-level conservation programmes. However, mainstream tourism in the region has often focused on beaches and water sports, with less attention on forest-based or eco-sensitive tourism models. The Directorate’s lecture series attempts to address this gap.
The event on July 5 aims to bridge academic knowledge and public awareness by focusing on how ecological preservation can coexist with tourism growth. With rising interest in sustainable travel experiences, such sessions are expected to influence both policy implementation and tourist behaviour.
