Wave Makers: A Field Training Course
5 to 14 January, 2025
Organized by
The Beyond the Waves Ocean Literacy
Initiative of
Estuarine & Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF)
Background
The world’s ocean face unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution and coastal development. In the context of West Bengal, the islands of Indian Sundarbans are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and intense cyclones threaten local ecosystems, communities, and economies. Addressing these issues, we require a comprehensive understanding of ocean science, policy, and community engagement in West Bengal.
The Wave Makers: Field Training Course is designed to provide graduate students, professional, early career researchers with the necessary background to support coastal observations, ecological data sampling and management, open science communication and community driven mangrove restoration skills in Indian Sundarbans.
Course Structure: The 7 days hybrid course is accessible to participants around India, takes around ten hours to complete (5 days online & 2 hrs/day) and 1 night 2 days on ground in Indian Sundarbans.
Module 1: Fundamentals of Estuarine Ecology with Hands On
- Basic ecological concept of estuaries (Focus on Sundarbans)
- Physical factors (Abiotic components theory)
- Plankton Diversity (Zooplankton)
- Pollution & Concept of Ecotoxicology
Module 2: Job oriented GIS & Remote Sensing
- Basic concepts of GIS & RS with its applications in Marine Science
- GPS Device & Study Map Creation (Basic to Advanced)
- Geo referencing & Drone Mapping
- Hydrological Mapping and Soil Mapping
- Bathymetric Survey
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
Module 3: Open Science Communication & Youth Advocacy
- Public Speaking & Scientific Presentations
- Proposals/Grants Writing
- Open Science (eg. Publications, Data sharing etc.)
- Best Practices for Science Communication (Social media as a toolkit)
- Career Development Session (1:1 sessions available in the same course)
Module 4: Mangrove Restoration Ecology
- Mangrove Plantation & Protection
- Mangrove Species-level Identification in Sundarbans
- Social Survey Design
Module 5. NYCC West Bengal Chapter Workshop in Indian Sundarbans (it's a free-entry event supported by National Youth Climate Consortium)
- Workshop with the coastal community & Gram Panchayat
- Sessions on Climate Advocacy
- Climate & Mental Health
Target Audience
- UG/PG students (with science or social science background)
- Early Career Researchers/Professionals
- Environmental Enthusiasts
Certification
Upon completion of the full course, participants will get a Certificate of Completion (endorsed by UN Ocean Decade Mega Delta Program)
Application Details
- The course fee is 5000 INR, which is all-inclusive
- The fee covers: Field accommodation (in Sundarbans for 1 night), Travel arrangements (Canning to Canning for the whole trip), Resource materials & Full Course instruction and activities. There are no additional or hidden costs
- Please fill the online registration form: REGISTRATION FORM
Payment Information:
Estuarine and Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF)
Account No. : 40830306388
IFSC: SBIN0020811
Period for Application
1st – 15th December, 2024
Last Date of Form Submission
15 December, 2024 (by 11:59 pm)
Field Trip
9 & 10 January 2025 (1N 2D to Indian Sundarbans)
Resource Person
- Dr. Sourav Paul, Director, Estuarine & Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF)
- Mr. Ayan Ghosh, GIS Expert, Govt. of West Bengal
- Ms. Debarati Sengupta, Ocean Literacy Coordinator, Estuarine & Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF)
- Dr. Arunodaya Gautam, Scientist, Estuarine & Coastal Studies Foundation (ECSF)
- Mr. Umashankar Mandal, Secretary, Purbasha Eco-Helpline Society
Organizing Committee
- Dr. Amalesh Mukhopadhyay (President)
Director, ECSF - Prof. S. Bijoynandan (Patron)
Advisor, ECSF - Prof. Satheesh Shenoi (Patron)
Advisor, ECSF - Prof. S.K. Raut (Patron)
Advisor, ECSF - Mr. Sinchan Chatterjee (Vice- President)
Director, ECSF - Dr. Sourav Paul (Joint Secretary)
Director, ECSF - Mr. Umashankar Mandal (Joint Secretary)
Secretary, Purbasha Eco-Helpline Society - Ms. Debarati Sengupta (Joint Convener)
Ocean Literacy Coordinator, ECSF - Mr. Ayan Ghosh (Joint Convener)
GIS Expert, Govt. of West Bengal
If you have any questions, Contact the Event Coordinator,
Debarati Sengupta at [email protected] or (+91) 8820230314
AGENDA FOR ONLINE SESSIONS
| Date | Time | Session | Topic | Resource Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jan, Sunday | 7:00 - 8:00 pm | Course Orientation | Debarati Sengupta | |
| 8:00 - 9:00 pm | GIS & RS | Overview of GIS & RS | Ayan Ghosh | |
| 6 Jan, Monday | 7:00 - 8:00 pm | GIS & RS | Geo-referencing and Drone Mapping | Ayan Ghosh |
| 8:00 – 8:30 pm | Ecology | The Indian Sundarbans | Dr. Sourav Paul | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 pm | Field Preparation | All info. reg., trip Field Survey Design | Debarati Sengupta Dr. Sourav Paul | |
| 11 Jan, Saturday | 7:00 - 9:00 pm | GIS & RS | Analysis & Mapping | Ayan Ghosh |
| 12 Jan, Sunday | 7:00 – 8:00 pm | Communication & Advocacy | Event Planning & Fundraising | Debarati Sengupta |
| 8:00 – 9:00 pm | Social Media & Communications | Debarati Sengupta TBA | ||
| 14 Jan, Tuesday | 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Group Presentation & Career Opportunities | Dr. Sourav Paul Debarati Sengupta Ayan Ghosh |
FIELD TRIP AGENDA
| Date | Time | Session | Topic | Resource Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jan, Thursday | 9:00 am | Meeting at Canning Railway Station | ||
| 10:30 am | Breakfast on the Boat | Ice Breaker | ||
| 11:00 am | Introduction Registration Kits Code of Conduct | |||
| 11:40 am | Technical Discussion Ecology | The Ganges Delta Biodiversity Pollution | Dr. Sourav Paul Dr. Arunodaya Gautam | |
| 12:30 pm | Ecology Hands-On | Water, Air and Soil Data Collection | Dr. Sourav Paul Dr. Arunodaya Gautam | |
| 1:30 pm | Lunch Break | Enjoy the delicious Bengali cuisine amidst the nature! | ||
| 2:30 pm | GIS & RS | Hydrological & Soil Mapping & GPS | Ayan Ghosh | |
| 4:00 pm | Tea Break & Activity | |||
| 5:00 pm | Communication & Advocacy | Open Science Communication Ocean-Climate Action | Debarati Sengupta | |
| 5:40 pm | Sightseeing | |||
| 6:00 pm | Check-In at Resort | |||
| 7:00 pm | Group Activity & Mentorship | Career focused mentorship | ||
| 8:00 pm | Folk Dance | Embrace the community folk culture | ||
| 9:00 pm | Dinner | |||
| 10 Jan, Friday | 6:00 am | Tea & Ice Breaker | ||
| 6:30 am | Drone Mapping (Hands-on) | |||
| 7:00 am | NYCC WB Local Chapter | Workshop Background | ||
| 7:45 am | Technical Discussion Mangrove Talk | Mr. Umashankar Mandal | ||
| 8:00 am | Breakfast | |||
| 8:30 am | Community Workshop & Survey | |||
| 12:30 pm | Community Lunch | |||
| 2:00 pm | Back to Boat | |||
| 6:00 pm | Canning Railway Station |
FAQ
Please refer to the flyer for registration details. You can also visit our website [https://ecsfindia.org/ocean-literacy/] for more information. The course agenda is attached for your reference.
The field team will depart from Canning railway station. To get there, you can take a train from Sealdah railway station to Canning railway station. Please check the train schedule in advance to plan your journey.
Yes, food and accommodations will be provided during the field trip. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or special requirements in advance.
The course fee is 5000 INR, which is all-inclusive. This means that the fee covers: Field accommodation (in Sundarbans for 1 night), Travel arrangements (Canning to Canning), Resource materials & Full Course instruction and activities. There are no additional or hidden costs.
If you cancel your registration on or before 15th December 2024, you will receive a full refund. However, please note that no refunds will be provided for cancellations made after 15th December 2024.
In the unlikely event that the organisation cancels the field trip and course, you will receive a full refund.
There are travel awards for those who are attending the workshop beyond 300 KM from the Sundarbans. Your train (up to 3AC)/Bus fare would be reimbursed upon providing the train/bus ticket after your journey. The travel award is sponsored by Riviera Glass Pvt. LTD and Lab Equipments & Chemicals (India).