Education
Photo: Idrees Babu
Community-based Learning
Children in Lakshadweep don't learn about marine wildlife from books or the internet. They learn mostly by playing on the beach, collecting cowry shells with their mothers, fishing with their fathers, and listening to 
At school they follow the curriculum taught in Kerala, on the Indian mainland, a place that's little more than a distant reality, far from their daily experience.
This is why community-based learning plays an important role in raising environmental awareness.
Photo: Idrees Babu
Learning is most appealing when it is fun.
Photo: Andrea Deri
No wonder painting competitions, film shows and hands-on discovery of marine life is so popular.
Painting Competitions
Organising a painting competition on World Environment Day (5 June) has now become a tradition in Agatti and Kavaratti. More than 320 students submitted their art-work on the themes of 'Conserving Coral Reefs' (2005, Kavaratti) and 'Conservation of Sea Turtles' (2006, Agatti).
Exhibition
In 2007, the Sandy Beach Cultural and Eco-Tourism Society in Kavaratti, a dedicated local supporter of 'Project Giant Clam', hosted a popular exhibition on sea turtles. Friends of 'Sandy Beach' play an active role in sea turtle conservation in Kavaratti.
Film Showings
Film showings are the most effective ways of sparking discussions with young people on environmental issues.
Photo: Karamath Shahib
In June and July 2006 several islands showed films to engage the children in learning about biodiversity conservation.
Photo: Idrees Babu
Workshops, Clean-ups
Conservation workshops and beach cleanups organised by local groups like LMRCC attract many adults who are committed to take action to protect the environment.
Updated: 18 August 2008