Go4BioDiv Booklet 2012

Apoorva Usha Kulkarni, 24Pondicherry, Union Territory - India30The vastness of the ocean beyond the sand beneath my feet has alwaysfascinated me. The ocean brings me peace. Pondicherry has made mefeel closer to the ocean. Being an ecologist and having a keen interest inmarine ecosystems, I was lucky enough to have a huge coastal stretch lieright outside my University campus.I relate to this coast in several ways. I wait for hours hoping to seea dolphin jump out of the water, taking a huge leap, and splash backinto it. The inquisitiveness in me to know more about this coast and itspeople increased many folds as I helped the fishermen during dragnetfishing.I often interact with these fishing communities and I want tomake a difference to their critical conditions as they struggle for theirsustainability. At the same time I want to protect the marine organismsunder threat in this region.A mother gives life and provides all that is necessary for her child’sgrowth and nourishment; so the child completely relies on its mother foreverything. Similarly the people here wholly rely on the ocean for theirlivelihoods, protection, nourishment and growth. Their economy dependson her and so does their only source of protein (fish). Their cultural andaesthetic values are deeply rooted to this coast.