About the Project

Established in December 2023, The School of Conservation is a social initiative centered around promoting sustainability in India’s fishing industry through a multi-pronged and community-centric approach. It recognizes that populations that derive their livelihood from natural ecosystems are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; any solution that seeks to restore the environment must necessarily support and include them in the process of intervention. These communities, who’ve held deep cultural and economic connections with the ocean for centuries, teach us that it is indeed possible to live in harmony with nature. Thus, the preservation of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods they sustain must be a collaborative effort between all relevant stakeholders, and focus on fostering awareness about conservation. 

The project includes several essential facets, including an educational program through the Ocean of Awareness podcast, which explores the lives of Mumbai’s fishing communities, including the aboriginal Kolis, delving into their daily experiences, aspirations, and challenges. Furthermore, it speaks of new-age innovations within the fishing world that can help us move closer to a more sustainable industry. In an attempt to better understand the breadth and complexity of India’s fishing ecosystem through community outreach, we plan to research and compile a Institutional Fishing Sustainability Index, with the aim of empowering organizations to make informed choices based on data. We will also facilitate on-ground surveys that will determine the direction of fundraising and resource mobilization for fishermen to expand the reach of the project through grassroots engagement. The School of Conservation is committed to its mission of driving systemic positive change on the Konkan coast, with economic empowerment and environmental sustainability as its central long-term goals.