The Citizen Science Intitative Sessions

Overview of the Citizen Science Initiative: Engaging Communities in Conservation

From June 19 to July 10, 2021, Oasis organized a dynamic Citizen Science Initiative aimed at inspiring public participation in conservation efforts. Through a series of talks, discussions, and interactive sessions with experts from various ecological research organizations, Oasis sought to bridge the gap between scientific research and citizen involvement. The initiative highlighted diverse citizen science projects focusing on species monitoring, seasonal changes, and habitat conservation, encouraging participants to actively contribute to ecological data collection and environmental stewardship.

Session Highlights: Expert Talks and Citizen Science Projects

1. Butterfly Watch with Dr. Krushnamegha Kunte
   Date: June 19, 2021
   Time: 6:00 PM
   Speaker: Dr. Krushnamegha Kunte, NCBS, TIFR
   Project: Butterfly Watch
   Dr. Kunte, an expert in butterfly biodiversity, introduced participants to the Butterfly Watch project, a citizen science initiative aimed at documenting butterfly species across regions. The session covered methods for identifying butterfly species and their habitats, providing attendees with the knowledge to contribute to tracking butterfly populations and supporting conservation efforts.
2. Seasonal Changes Monitoring with Dr. Geetha Ramaswamy
   Date: June 23, 2021
   Time: 6:00 PM
   Speaker: Dr. Geetha Ramaswamy, NCF
   Project: Seasons Watch
   Focusing on the Seasons Watch project, Dr. Ramaswamy discussed how participants could monitor seasonal changes in flora across different regions. By observing and recording plant phenology, citizens help scientists understand climate impacts on vegetation patterns, contributing to broader ecological research on climate change effects.
3. Tiger Conservation with Dr. Dharmendra Khandal
   Date: June 27, 2021
   Time: 11:00 AM
   Speaker: Dr. Dharmendra Khandal, Conservation India
   Project: Tiger Watch
   Dr. Khandals talk centered on the Tiger Watch initiative, where participants help in tracking and conserving tiger populations. He shared insights on methods for identifying signs of tiger presence and their importance for conservation. The interactive discussion emphasized the role of local communities in tiger habitat preservation.
4. Bird Conservation through E-bird with Dr. Mittal Gala
   Date: July 1, 2021
   Time: 6:00 PM
   Speaker: Dr. Mittal Gala, NCF
   Project: BCI - Ebird
   Dr. Gala introduced the audience to the Ebird project, an initiative to document bird species and distributions. The session offered training on how participants can observe, document, and submit bird sightings to aid in monitoring avian biodiversity, crucial for understanding changes in bird populations.
5. Community Fishery Conservation with Dr. Naveen Namboothri
   Date: July 3, 2021
   Time: 3:00 PM
   Speaker: Dr. Naveen Namboothri, Dakshin Foundation
   Project: Community Fishery
   Dr. Namboothris session on community fisheries highlighted the importance of sustainable fishing practices and community-driven conservation. Participants learned how citizen science could empower local fishing communities to sustainably manage and protect marine resources, fostering resilience and conservation in coastal areas.
6. Indian Bullfrog Monitoring with Dr. Nitya Prakash Mohanty
   Date: July 7, 2021
   Time: 6:00 PM
   Speaker: Dr. Nitya Prakash Mohanty, CES, IISC
   Project: Indian Bullfrog
   Dr. Mohanty discussed the Indian Bullfrog project, which aims to monitor the impact of invasive species on local ecosystems. This session educated participants on spotting and recording data about the Indian Bullfrog, an invasive species in certain regions, and encouraged collaboration to control its ecological impact.

Road Ecology and Wildlife Safety with Dr. Milind Pariwakam
Date: July 10, 2021
Time: 6:00 PM
Speaker: Dr. Milind Pariwakam, Roadkills
Project: Roadkills
Dr. Pariwakam concluded the initiative with a session on the Roadkills project, which focuses on tracking roadkill incidents to improve wildlife safety along roads and highways. He provided guidelines on documenting roadkill data, which helps in identifying high-risk zones for wildlife and informs infrastructure planning for animal corridors.