Held at Atal Bhavan, Kochi on 21st September 2019

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which came into effect on 1 January 2016, with 17 SDGs, pays specific attention to the importance of Oceans and waterways. SDG 14 – Life below Water – looks to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources” and articulates ten targets and their corresponding indicators to help countries and agencies achieve this goal. The SDG 14.1 and 14.3 are targeting to prevent and minimize impact of Marine pollution and Ocean acidification. Both these sub-targets of SDG 14 were covered in the programme*. To Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development India has taken various steps to protect and enhance the marine ecosystem. India has launched a flagship programme, Sagarmala, for promoting port connectivity, development and industrialization, in a phased manner during 2015 to 2025.

Capacity Building is needed to develop concepts related to sustainable marine ecology. With this in view, the Climate Change Research Institute supported by Centre for Marine Living Resources  & Ecology (CMLRE), Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) participated in the ‘Marine Ecology: Implementing Sustainable Development Goals 14’ held at Kochi on 21st September 2019. On this occasion Director CMLRE, Dr. M. Sudhakar, welcomed and introduced the Deep Sea Mission of Ministry of Earth Sciences to the students and faculties.

Chief Guest, Prof. D. P. Agrawal,  Chairman, CCRI and Former Chairman, UPSC delivered the inaugural Address. Prof. Malti Goel, President & Chief Executive, CCRI  gave the theme address on ‘Ocean and Us: Marine Environment, Ecology and Sustainability’. Dr. V.N. Sanjeevan, President, Swadeshi Science Movement addressed the participants about the SSM. Shri V. S. Verma, Shri Gautam Sen, Scientists and Professors from Climate Change Research Institute, Prof. E. V. Ramasamy, from Mahatma Gandhi University and Scientists from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in their talks highlighted the impact of plastics on life. A brochure on Implementing SDG14 and S&T Solutions was distributed by the Institute.

The seminar organized at ATAL BHAVAN Campus, Puthuvype was attended by around 200 graduate, postgraduate and  research students from Universities and Institutes in and around Kochi viz. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies, MG University,  CIFNET, National Institute of Oceanography, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Indian Maritime University and  St. Albert’s college. The Climate Change Research Institute distributed Information Brochure** on the theme of the workshop on SDG14 and S&T solutions to all participants.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Director and staff of CMLRE for their support.