EDUCATION
In keeping with ANET’s mandate of spreading awareness about ecosystem biodiversity within these islands, the team has developed various programs for school and university students from India and globally. This gives young people an interactive learning experience on the importance of conservation while adding impetus to local environmental tourism. Our education programs vary from introductory awareness activities to in-depth studies of particular flora and fauna of each of the different habitats.
SCHOOL and UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Island Ecology & Bio-Geography: The islands are highly significant for biodiversity and endemism. ANET’s immediate surroundings - adjacent to the Lohabark Sanctuary, offers an opportunity to explore forests and a variety of littoral habitats. Guided walks through mangrove swamps, hillside and littoral forests and beaches, and snorkeling excursions on the nearby reefs provide exposure to the various ecosystems that are an integral part of the Andaman Islands. Slideshows and interactive sessions highlight the interdependence between these ecosystems with an emphasis on endemic and invasive species on the islands.
Marine Biology: A few minutes by boat from the ANET base is the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Our staff conducts diving and snorkeling excursions with talks on the flora and fauna of the area, providing an introduction to the littoral, coral reef and shallow sea habitats of the Andaman Islands.
Design in Nature: Surrounded by such immense natural richness and biodiversity, we at ANET are captivated by the sheer genius of the inherent ‘design in nature’. Students of Design visiting ANET are encouraged to explore the natural surroundings with an eye for the practical ergonomics and artistic flair of nature’s design. The remarkable transformation from egg to butterfly and the utilitarian creation of up-right floating mangrove seeds can all be observed close by.
ANET can tailor programmes according to particular curriculum requirements and learning objectives of each school as well as provide for different age groups. Those schools offering the IB programme will recognize the value of this broad based learning experience and also the way in which horizontal planning may be achieved to build on the CAS component of the curriculum in a particularly adventurous way. We are equipped to conduct courses from Grade 7 up to undergraduate students.
Some of the institutions ANET has conducted programs / courses with:
• WCS, NCBS (National Centre for Biological Sciences), Bangalore, INDIA
• St. Mary’s college, Maryland, U.S.A.
• Juniata College, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
• Havelock Island Senior Secondary School, Andamans, INDIA
• Schools around Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, South Andamans, INDIA
• Srishti School of Design, Bangalore, INDIA
• Sharad Pawar International School, Pune, INDIA
• Malya Aditi International School, Bangalore, INDIA
• Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai, INDIA
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WORKSHOPS
ANET conducts workshops with a wide variety of stakeholders, on a variety of subjects. We build the capacities of the local people, reiterate the need for community involvment in conservation, and are usually a lot of fun! While imparting information, the team also learns valuable information from workshop participants. Some of these are given below.
1. Teacher’s Training (Environmental Education) Workshops
The object of these programs is to train members of the local community as facilitators for further environmental education workshops conducted with schools and other groups.
The first of its kind was held with teachers and volunteers from the Havelock senior secondary school, and consecutively with schools around the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
2. Organic Farming and Natural Resource Management Workshops
These aim to educate farmers, employees of resorts and other locals in the use of indigenous plants with pesticidal properties. They highlight the benefits of mixed cropping, composting, rainwater harvesting, water filtration and grey-water reuse. ANET has developed two green house vegetable gardens for its own consumption which functions as a model for teaching and understanding sustainable methods of organic farming.
3. Mushroom Farming Workshops
Conducted by the Centre for Agricultural Research India (CARI) and funded by IUCN, ANET organized this workshop as part of a community-based livelihoods enhancement project. A majority of the participants were women from the Karen community in Mayabunder.
 4. Photography Workshops
Conducted by wildlife photographers Tasneem Khan and Umeed Mistry, these workshops provide an education in both basic and advanced techniques of nature photography, both on land and underwater.
Participants experience the non-touristic side of the Andaman Islands with an opportunity to photograph their pristine splendour.
5. Environmental Awareness Workshops
Students are introduced to basic ecological principles and systems. Helping them understand the intricate processes of the natural world and guiding them to think in terms of patterns, interactive relationships and specifically putting it into context to their lives on the islands and how they interact with and impact their environment.
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VOLUNTEERING
 ANET believes that learning can acquire greater depth beyond the classroom. Hands on experience and involvement can give people the opportunity to appreciate and understand an environment and its concerns in a far more intimate manner. By living and working alongside local residents and researchers, one can be more than just a tourist passing through.
ANET usually has several projects in motion, many of which an applied approach to conservation and aiding local communities. Depending on the time of year, and what projects are underway at the time, volunteers assist in research as well as in day to day activities on the base such as tree planting, office work, base maintenance and data entry..
As of this year, ANET has formed the Research Advisory Board (RAB) headed by Dr. Ravi Chellam, consisting of a board of eleven eminent scientists and others working in the field of ecology and the sciences for many years. The RAB was formed with the view to initiating more research in the Andamans and have ANET serve as the primary research base for anyone looking to conduct studies within the island group. With this movement towards research and science, ANET and the RAB are looking for volunteers and interns with a background in the sciences or experience working in the field so that we can use enthusiastic and diligent individuals to assist on and further research being conducted by/through ANET. Volunteers from other backgrounds are also encouraged to write to us if there is any specific idea or project they have in mind, and if feasible ANET will attempt to make this possible. As an intern, you can put together a self-supporting externally funded study or project by submitting a proposal which will be reviewed by the RAB. Possibilities, planning & logistics can be discussed with the help of ANET staff.
Apart from your specific interests do let us know of any skills that you might have such as photography, climbing, teaching, bush craft, proficiency in local languages, etc. which could be put to good use.
- Kindly get in touch on info@anetindia.org to plan your volunteer program.
- Charges may vary depending on the time of year or due to other considerations.
- Accommodation and food will be charged for at ANET.
Join us in an adventure of learning and working toward a better planet while you have the time of your life on one of the most beautiful islands.
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PUBLICATIONS and POSTERS
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Publications
• Treasured Islands – A teacher’s training manual for the schools on the islands, available in English and Hindi.
• A pocket guide to Rare and Endemic Species of the Andaman Islands
Posters
• Biodiversity of the Andaman Islands
• Coral Reefs of the Andaman Islands
• Mangroves of the Andaman Islands
• Andaman Cobra
• Common Endemic Species of the Andaman Islands
• Sea Turtles of the Andaman Islands
• Endemic Reptiles of the Andaman Islands
• Venomous snakes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Sea Turtle Distribution in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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