ALAPPUZHA: The tenth edition of Vembanad Fish Count (VFC) began on Friday and will end on Saturday. The survey initiated by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) will be inaugurated by K.V. Dayal, noted environmentalist, at Kaipuram jetty, near Cherthala, at 6 a.m. on Saturday. The closing ceremony be held at Alappuzha in the evening.
Dr A. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), will inaugurate the valedictory at Pulimoottil convention centre. Orientation classes on the fish count . led by Mr K.V. Jayachandran, director of research (retired), KUFOS, were held at Alappuzha on Friday. Mr T.D Jojo, project coordinator, ATREE, said VFC was initiated with the support of several institutions and agencies, including the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Department of Fisheries, India Biodiversity Portal, Vembanad Nature Club, Vembanad Lake Protection Forums, KUFOS, SN College, Cherthala, and St Albert’s College, Ernakulam.
The fishermen of Vembanad would share their traditional knowledge to identify problems and solutions. VFC adopts a democratic approach in resource monitoring which is different from the conventional top-down approach. The targeted groups participate in the entire process, learning about the situation, identifying problems, discussing alternatives, seeking solutions, designing and implementing activities, evaluating and disseminating results, he said.
