Showcased through art & stories, Goa’s conservation efforts wow audience at UK summit
KARSTEN MIRANDA
karsten@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: In a powerful testament to Goa's environmental leadership, wildlife biologist Dr Nandini Velho and her multidisciplinary team recently took centre stage at the prestigious Conservation Optimism Summit held at Oxford University's Keble College in the UK. As a key figure in the Amche Mollem (Save Mollem) campaign group, Dr Velho's presence at this international forum brought Goa's conservation efforts into the global spotlight.
The team's opening plenary on the second day of the three-day summit captivated the audience with its innovative blend of psychological insights, visual artistry, and musical storytelling. This unique approach not only showcased Goa's rich ecological heritage but also conveyed a compelling message of hope and collaboration in conservation efforts.
The expat Goan swelled with pride as their homeland's stories resonated on this international platform. The presentation's centrepiece, the Atlas of Living Hope, featured a breathtaking title slide by visual storyteller Svabhu Kohli. This masterpiece, widely acclaimed on social media as one of the conference's most beautiful visuals, perfectly encapsulated Goa's landscapes of hope and optimism.
The team's presentation went beyond mere visuals, delving into the heart of Goa's conservation spirit. It featured a poignant conversation between Dr Claude Alvares, Director of Goa Foundation, and team researcher Farai Patel, exploring the wellsprings of motivation and hope in ongoing conservation efforts.
On a different note, Dr Velho also paid homage to the publication 'Fish, Curry and Rice', by Alvares, describing it as a museum-worthy chronicle of Goa's environmental journey. She expressed her honour in joining fellow citizens as an author for its upcoming fifth edition.
In a touching moment, the team paid tribute to the late Julio Cedric Aguiar and Shashank Srinivasan, conservationists whose contributions to the Amche Mollem campaign continue to inspire hope and action among Goans.
The presentation, aptly titled "Collaborations for Conservation," challenged the audience to ponder the coexistence of optimism and the recognition of serious environmental challenges.
Drawing inspiration from "Why Earth Optimism" by Professor Balmford and Dr Nancy Knowlton, the team posed a thought-provoking question: "I have a dream—but can we hold onto that dream while also bearing the weight of the problems?" This query, in a way, touched upon their collective emphasis on fostering platforms for diverse and interdependent alliances in conservation.
As the summit concluded, Dr Velho and her team's presentation stood out as a beacon of hope and a call to action. It not only showcased Goa's natural beauty and conservation efforts but also positioned the State as a model for collaborative, optimistic approaches to environmental challenges.