Educational Trips

UG students of the department were taken on a trip to Velas village in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, known for its efforts to conserve the Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), a vulnerable species. Enroute to Velas, the group visited the Dr Balasaheb Sawant Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth (agricultutal university) at Daopli, highlighting agricultural studies and bioentrepreneurship efforts - aquaponics set-up, animal husbandry (cow, goat, sheep), emu bird farming, mushroom cultivation, vermicomposting and farmland training. The visit also included a trip to a cashew  nut processing factory to learn about rural cooperative start-ups. The final leg of the educational tour included a homestay in Velas village where students enjoyed an immersive experience of rural life. Under the guidance of expert and environmental conservationist Mr Mohan Upadhye, students visited the Olive Ridley turtle conservation centre on Velas beach. They also visited a conservation site for White Bellied Sea Eagle. A hike to Bankot fort in the evening to watch an awe-inspiring sunset was much enjoyed by the students. A night walk to watch bioluminescence on the Velas beach followed by a bonfire next to the beach were the highlights of the last day of the tour. Students partook of simple, traditional, home-cooked meals at the homestay. The reflection session held brought forth the peace and tranquillity the students experienced through the trip, and their learnings about biodiversity documentation, conservation, ecotourism and bio-entrepreneurship.

A visit to the Cancer Cytogenetics Laboratory at Tata Memorial Hospital - Cancer Research Centre, ACTREC, Navi Mumbai was organized for PG students on 4th February 2025 on occasion of World Cancer Day.