On 5th of October 2018, the first outreach programme for school children was held in Kendriya Vidyalaya, INS, Chilika on the theme “Outreach programme on seagrass biodiversity of Chilika under Foldscope”. The active participants were the Principal KV, teachers and young brains of standard 11th and 12th. A detailed presentation on Chilika, a Ramsar site…
Author: Gurdeep Rastogi
SENSITIZATION OF FISHERMEN ABOUT SEAGRASSES AND ZOOPLANKTON
Seagrass bed supports enormous diversity of both benthic and planktonic fauna. After prolonged monsoon season, seagrass meadows of the Chilika lagoon started rejuvenating from their underground rhizome. Developing seagrass bed were observed in the outer channel area of lagoon which is primarily marine with salinity as high as 30 ppt. Fishermen fishing in the outer…
Zooplankton and Polycheate from seagrass meadow.
Water and benthic sediment samples were collected from the seagrass bed located in the southern sector of Chilika. Water samples were collected using zooplankton net where as seagrass sediments were collected usinga Van Veen grab sampler. Samples were stained with the Rose Bengal stain and mounted on glass slide for observation under foldscope. Zooplankton such…
Pond water through the Foldscope
Water samples were collected from a pond located at the Wetland Research and Training Center at Balugaon, Odisha for phytoplankton and species. Large population of live Euglena with active motility were observed under Foldscope. Live Euglena under Foldscope
Observance of Phytoplankton samples using Foldscope
Phytoplankton samples were collected from the overlying water column of the seagrass meadows of the central sector of Chilika Lagoon with the help of a plankton net. The samples collected were analysed under the foldscope. Filamentous algae Oscillatoria and Polysiphonia sp. were identified.
Plankton sampling and analysis under Foldscope
The Southern sector of Chilika Lagoon has a good spread seagrass meadow from where the plankton sample was collected above the seagrass bed and were analysed under the foldscope. The samples were collected using plankton net, The following pictures were observed under the foldscope.
Sensitization of Foresters about seagrasses and Foldscope
Seagrasses, the underwater forests play a crucial role in sustaining the flora and fauna in coastal lagoon like Chilika. Ironically, these underwater plants are mostly neglected when it comes to conservation and management plan of wetlands. Chilika, a biodiversity hotspot of India is well known for its scenic beauty, dolphins and birds. Seagrass meadows of…
Actinomycetes associated with the Seagrasses
Actinomycetes that are well known for producing secondary metabolites have been cultured from seagrass bed sediments. Wide diversity of actinomycetes were obtained and the culture were seen through foldscope which revealed actinomycetes of different cell morphology.
Epiphytic Microalgae of seagrasses in Chilika
On 14th July 2018, microalgae were sampled from the seagrass meadow located at the Rajhans area of Chilika Lagoon. In this area the seagrasss meadow is a mixture of dense Halophila species and the Halodule species. After the seagrasses were collected, the epiphytic algae were washed off from the leaves of seagrass. Slide was prepared…
Educating the Chilika Fishermen about seagrasses and their role in ecosystem services
Nalabana, a protected bird sanctuary under Wild Life Act is also considered a nursery ground for many fish species. Every year millions of birds congregate in this area for feeding and resting purposes. Due to protected nature of site, fishing activities are banned in this sanctuary. The sanctuary supports luxuriant sea grass meadows that play…
FOLDSCOPE AS A TOOL TO MAGNIFY THE CURIOSITY OF SCHOOL TEACHERS ABOUT CHILIKA LAGOON ODISHA
On 19th June 2018, teachers of Local school around Chilika Lagoon from Balugaon and Banpur area visited the Wetland research and Training Centre, under an exposure visit. During their visit, they have been introduced about the biodiversity of Chilika Lagoon through Lab visit and a presentation on Foldscope followed by a practical demonstration of Foldscope. …
Exploring biodiversity of Chilika Ramsar site- a wetland of international importance located at Odisha India
Researchers working in Wetland Research and Training centre looked at the water samples from Chilika Lagoon on a sunny day. A Lagoon that is known for its legacy as biodiversity hotspot of India was explored for the zooplankton species. After preservation and staining, samples were looked under the Foldscope and several species of zooplankton were…
Introduction to Foldscopes as a tool to look Seagrasses and associated epiphytic communties
Foldscope was introduced to students and teachers of Xavier School of Sustainability, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during their visit to Wetland Research and Training Centre, Balugaon on 23 June 2018. All were excited to learn about multiple application of Foldscopes ranging from environmental to clinical applications. Students and teacher were demonstrated different seagrass specimens using foldscopes and…
sensitizing the local fishermen of Chilika lagoon.
The Chilika Lagoon is the largest lagoon of India. With the flow of fresh water from the northern side and the entry of sea water from the southern side makes it a serene environment for many flora and fauna. It is the home to Irawady Dolphins, foraging area to 0.98 million migratory birds and serving…