Aarini Ghosh - workshop

In February 2023, I took the lead in organizing the "Biodiversity Conservation Workshop" with the assistance of my colleagues at Umling village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, India. The workshop received funding from DST-SERB, India, and ITRI-NY, and featured a collaborative partnership with the Biology department of Ashoka University. With special appreciation to the "Living Bridge Foundation" , the Meghalaya Forest Department and village secretory for their noteworthy contributions to the success of this workshop.

Two school from the village were participated in the workshop (one govt and one missionary).

Total 170+ student were attended from class 6 to 10. Students were including from diverse communities and economical back ground , major tribe was "Khasi". "Khasi" tribe is one of the major tribes of Meghalaya. Meghalaya comes under highly bio-diverse Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot of India. This region is know for endemic flora fauna and pristine natural beauty. Most of these indigenous community still under developed and forest dwellers.

This workshop was about educating and spreading awareness to local students about biodiversity surrounding them (North East region) and student motivation about education.

Whole workshop was parted in 4 section. Explore the nature through discussion, Video screening with Q&A, personality development ,and painting session.

We arranged an extensive meal for the students, ensuring that it adhered to sustainable practices. The preparation involved cooking with firewood, utilizing reusable plastic, employing banana leaves as plates, and incorporating bamboo cups for serving water. The entire process, from preparation to execution, was skillfully undertaken by local villagers, contributing not only to the event's ecological sustainability but also providing them with valuable financial support.

The Team

Without all of them it was never possible.

My speacial thanks to - Bodhisattwa Choudhury, Jishnu Borgohain, Vishesh Lyndoh, Riban War, Siddhartha, Morningstar , Iniyas, Village secretory , School head mistress , principal and all villagers.