A Journey into the Mangrove System – A One Day Workshop

Date of Event: 27/07/2026

Venue: Murungappakkam Art and Craft Village, Puducherry

This workshop was organised by Pondicherry Science Forum in collaboration with State Training Centre and supported by Power Grid Corporation, Puducherry. Students from Government and Government-Aided schools (Ariyankuppam region) participated in this workshop. A total of 35 students represented 5 schools [IMMACULATE, NJGMS VEERAMPATINAM, GHS ARIYANKUPPAM, SSGHS VEERAMPATINAM, TPGHSS MANAVELY]

The workshop opened with standard inaugural protocols by the dignitaries, framing the purpose of International Mangrove Day under the official banner “A Journey into the Mangrove Ecosystem”, “Iyarkaiyodu Vazhapazhagu” (Acoustic Nature Track). Peer-led singing was carried out using printed lyric sheets to lower participant inhibitions and prime them for collaborative learning, led by Teacher Rajesh.

Ecological parameters of mangrove survival and local biodiversity threats session was led by Dr. Bhubesh Gupta. A guided inspection of the adjacent root networks was conducted. Students directly mapped points of impact where solid plastic debris and urban blackwater/sewage runoff choked the roots.

The “Web of Life” simulation session was led by Mrs. Subashini. Students utilized jute rope (sanal kayiru) to create an interactive multi-species web. By dropping systemic strands, students observed structural domino effects caused by biodiversity loss.

Structural lectures on mangrove evolutionary was given.

Hydro-Chemical Laboratory Practical session was led by Mrs. Hemalatha. Quantitative testing of the mangrove habitat water table was done. The pH levels, Salinity indices, and Chlorine content was checked. Students recorded and analyzed real-time metrics, discovering how specific brackish water chemical ranges dictate the survival of local flora.

Students also visited the environmental art gallery. The students formed 7 teams to draft actionable conservation catchphrases, followed by team-by-team presentations. Mrs. Subashini deployed an environmental Bingo game mapping keywords learned across the technical sessions to test retention.

Qualitative assessment using a sticky-note matrix on a wall chart was done.