WWF-India is launching Miramar Dialogues, an innovative eight-week engagement series aimed at fostering environmental awareness and inspiring action in Goa. The inaugural session is on Friday, December 13, 2024.
KEY OBJECTIVE
This initiative seeks to provide a unique platform for citizens, experts, and thought leaders to come together to discuss and address critical environmental issues affecting the state’s biodiversity, conservation efforts, and sustainable development.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Goa, known for its rich natural beauty and biodiversity, faces various challenges related to environmental conservation. While there are numerous organisations dedicated to specific environmental causes, there has been a gap in creating a unified platform that addresses the bigger picture.
WWF-India, which has been actively working in Goa for over 39 years, recognises the need for greater awareness, collaboration, and collective action to protect the state’s natural heritage.
While there are numerous organisations dedicated to specific environmental causes, there has been a gap in creating a unified platform that addresses the bigger picture.
KEY SESSIONS
Miramar Dialogues will feature weekly sessions that will be divided into two parts: a subject-based interview with prominent environmental experts, followed by an interactive discussion with the audience.
These dialogues aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental challenges Goa faces, while also exploring practical solutions.
TOPICS
The eight-week series will feature a diverse range of topics, including:
Mhadei: Goa's lifeline: The importance of the Mhadei River in Goa's water security and biodiversity. Presently, the river is threatened by water diversion by Karnataka and other local issues like sand mining.
The priceless legacy of Goa's khazans: There is an urgent need to understand and restore this age-old system as a means to ensure food security in times of the global challenge of climate change.
There is an urgent need to understand and restore the age-old khazan system as a means to ensure food security in times of the global challenge of climate change.
Conservation lessons for Generation Next: Claude and Norma Alvares, Goa's foremost torchbearers in the indigenous environmental movement, will talk about their expectations from the next generation and how they intend to pass on the baton.
Where have all the flowers gone? Goa’s lateritic plateaus, which hold a treasure trove of plant species, are being considered wastelands and used for infrastructure development. This poses serious ecological problems.
Planet vs plastics- How to win: Discussions will be held to find out possible solutions and how citizens could thwart the downward spiral.
Goa, going, gone? Post-pandemic Goa has become a haven for settlers and second-home seekers, which has put a strain on the State's natural resources. Goans' concern about their future will be addressed by Justice Patel.
Environmental film screenings: Showcasing films that raise awareness on critical environmental issues.
Post-pandemic Goa has become a haven for settlers and second-home seekers, which has put a strain on the State's natural resources. Goans' concern about their future will be addressed by Justice Patel.
WORKSHOP FOR PUBLIC
In addition to the weekly dialogues, a workshop will be held at the end of the series to explore practical solutions and strategies to address the region's environmental challenges.
The sessions will be open to the public, providing them an opportunity to actively participate in discussions and learn from leading experts in the field.
WWF FOR SUSTAINABLE GOA
Talking about the unique initiative Aditya Kakodkar, State Coordinator WWF-India-Goa Office shared, “We believe that creating a well-informed and engaged public is crucial to tackling the environmental challenges we face today. The Miramar Dialogues will bring together diverse voices and foster collaboration, helping to build a more sustainable future for Goa.”
Goa’s lateritic plateaus, which hold a treasure trove of plant species, are being considered wastelands and used for infrastructure development. This poses serious ecological problems.
EVENT DETAILS:
Location: WWF-India office, Miramar, Goa
Dates: 8-week series, with one session per week (Inaugural session on December 13, 2024)
Open to all: The dialogues will maintain an apolitical atmosphere and are open to citizens of all ages and backgrounds.