TROPICAL GENE BANK PROJECT:

The Tropical Gene-Bank Project aims at conserving the indigenous tropical species from the Western Ghats region which are under severe threat of extinction. The project was initiated in 2006 in the campus of Visweswaraiah Technological University (VTU) in Belgaum. Currently 200 tropical species have been identified, collected and planted in the campus under various blocks such as Medicinal Plant Garden, Butterfly Park, Sacred Garden, Wildflower Garden, Nectar Garden and the like. The 200 different species are categorized and scientifically planted in these blocks for future identification and documentation purposes. The Gene Bank is being developed in the interests of future research, academic and propagation under conservation programmes.

BIOSHIELDING OF UTTARA KANNADA COAST FOR ECOLOGIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY:

Uttara Kannada district is known for its rich and diverse ecosystems that are home to several species of plants and animals. The district is not only situated in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, but also on the Indian west coast with some of the richest freshwater and marine ecosystems maintaining the ecological balance and sustaining livelihoods of millions of people. Due to rampant denudation of coastal vegetation and sand mining for large-scale construction activities in & around the coast, the coastline is today under severe threat of sea erosion, salt water intrusion, flooding and thereby affecting the lives of the coastal communities.

Therefore to protect the coast, its communities and to enhance the coastal biodiversity, members of Eco-Watch undertook a survey and prepared a Coastal Development Plan that included the above activities. One of the key activities was to create a natural barrier on the sea front through the concept of Bioshielding to mitigate the problems. The Bioshielding programme will involve the community in regenerating the coastal vegetation, maintain and monitor the region and also beautify the area. Certain indigenous, yet economically beneficial species will also be planted to supplement the basic income of the community. Another important component of this project is to improve the aesthetics and beautify the region by planting additional tree species to encourage and promote ecotourism wherein the local community will be trained to operate the system. This will not only employ the local youth and community members but also increase their income levels and drastically migration towards cities and bigger towns.

CENTRE FOR ECOTOURISM, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH:

Another major project of Eco-Watch is to establish a centre in the Western Ghats region that will focus on preserving and promoting cultural and ecological heritage through responsible and ecotourism. This centre will integrate tourism, cultural studies and environmental research in conserving the ecological and cultural heritage that is soon disappearing. The key activities of this centre are to organize cultural and ecological studies and field programmes through academic and study tourism; build capacities and improve skills of local communities in specific areas such as handicraft, traditional medicine, folk arts, local cuisine and various indigenous skills and practices that are fast disappearing; set-up information centres for international and domestic tourists to guide them to places of ecological, cultural and historical significance; set-up knowledge centre for the community for future training, research, documentation, workshops, etc., that will be a major part of the centre in future.

The centre will also identify issues with respect to cultural and environmental degeneration and thereby develop strategies to arrive at appropriate and suitable conservation practices. This exercise will be carried out by research associates and subject experts of Eco-Watch in association with the local community and concerned individuals of the region.