#TGLife
In a bid to promote conservation and create greater awareness about it, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) on Thursday launched the second leg of its travelling exhibition “ “Arribada: A gathering of stories, cultures and interactions with sea turtles” in collaboration with Dakshin Foundation and Aradhana Seth. Travelling from Delhi where it was first launched in July, this exhibition brings together turtle-inspired artefact collections of three avid conservationists and collectors, which transport one into the mysterious world of sea turtles, raising knowledge and awareness for wildlife protection and conservation.
The exhibition was launched at the WWF-India office in Miramar (next to the Science Center) by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) in Goa, Subhash Chandra, IFS. It will be on display from February to April, after which it will move to Bengaluru.
In a press note released by WWF, programme co-ordinator Dr Coralie D’Lima talks about how turtles play a key role in mythology and culture. Having evolved around 110 million years ago and remaining mostly unchanged, they bring valuable insight to the Earth’s past. As a charismatic species, they are ambassadors for their ecosystems and bring valuable attention to conservation efforts.
“With this exhibition, we have three eclectic collectors of turtle artefacts coming together from the world of ecology, conservation and art to tell us stories of sea turtles. We bring stories from history, biology, culture, conservation and people associated with sea turtle research in India,” she explains.
Speaking at the inaugural, Chandra said, “This exhibition celebrates our collective conservation efforts and history, narrates the cultural significance of turtles and underlines the continuing challenges in their conservation, thus generating awareness among people in Goa. I hope the exhibition will help us reach out to a diverse audience in Goa and encourage more people to undertake and participate in marine conservation programmes.”
Dr Sejal Worah, Director Programmes, WWF-India, and one of the contributing collectors of the artefacts on display said, “In India, turtles co-exist with people, interspersed in our local cultures and histories. Yet, these animals are threatened today. This exhibition, inspired by the concept of Wunderkammer, or a cabinet of curiosities, is replete with stories of turtles interacting with humans and of humans who’ve dedicated their lives to turtles. It brings to the forefront fascinating tales about this magnificent species and highlights their need for urgent protection.”
Also present at the event were Aradhana Seth, Director, Producer,
Art Director whose collection is one of the three on display and representatives from WWF-India and Dakshin Foundation.
