ORGANISED BY:
Coastal Community Resource Center Village Gupti of Bhitarkanika

Supported by:
Sandhan Foundation, Bhubaneswar

BACKGROUND
Restoring the correct hydrological regime, undoubtedly, is the paramount ecological factor in successful mangrove rehabilitation throughout the world, but unless this has the support from key local, regional, national and even international bodies, seedlings may not even catch a glimpse of the mud.

Mangrove rehabilitation must integrate local people, politicians, ecologists and forest managers. Empowerment is rarely used as a tool in the rural areas. Political, economical and other power groups prefer villages kept under control of the patronage system. They keep the communities weak because this perpetuates the dependency relationship. Because communities are not empowered, the sense of community remains blocked and therefore they are unable to lobby for the development they really need, unable to challenge development aggression.

PURPOSE:
The conference will have a broad scope, allowing for the discussion of a wide range of subjects including wider Socio-coastal Economic Development and Ecological sanitation issues, governance, ICT for Community Schooling on Conservation Education. A special focus of the conference, however, will be on the issue of securing access and user rights by small fishers, indigenous people, and coastal resources that sustain their livelihoods.

THEMES:
Community Livelihood Strategies:
* Study the community livelihood strategies and mangrove ecosystem services
* Examine coastal sustainable policy and developmental frameworks with
stakeholders
* Best practices in restoring the ecosystem services with community involvement.

Ecosystem Health & Livelihood Functioning
* Assess mangrove functionality in consultation with stakeholders at any such
project sites
* Develop indicators of ecosystem health and functioning with stakeholders for
participatory monitoring.
* Explore and evaluate potential management options to protect important Ecosystem functions resolving conflicts/tensions to ensure sustainable use of Coastal wetland-marine resources

INVITATION FOR PAPER PRESENTATION:
The International workshop is planned during 8-10 December, 2008 at Bhubaneswar and Coastal Community Resource Centre at village Gupti of Bhitarkanika. Different Stakeholders, including Forest Managers, Research Scientists, Policy Makers and User
Groups are invited to participate in the workshop.

ABSTRACT:
750 words, in English, giving details (names, full postal address including Email, Fax, Telephone; the title of the paper falls and key words. The full paper shall be 6-10 pages and with photos/tables/graphs separately. To be in MS WORD format, Font size 11, 1.5 spacing and Palatino Linotype font. The organization of text shall be title and authors (address), Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Acknowledgement and References. The selected papers will be complied and published as proceedings.

DEADLINES:
Submission of Abstract and Registration Form:  31-08-2008
Acceptance of Paper:  30-09-2008
Last Date of Registration:  15-10-2008
Submission of Full Paper:  31-10-2008

Registration Fee: INR 1000 for Indian and US$ 100 for International Participants. Interested participants are requested to send Registration Fee to the Bank Account Name:  SANDHAN FOUNDATION; FCRA Account Number: 523202010011299, Swift / Sort Code: UBI IN IN BBA, Union Bank of India, NAYAPALLI' Bhubaneswar-751012, Orissa, India.

Applicants are required to submit a short paper describing a positive experience in relation to their activities with the promotion of Coastal Ecosystem conservation and wise Forest Governance. Alternatively, they can describe a difficult challenge they are facing in this regard.

VENUE & ACCOMMODATION:
The Field Venue is at CCRC-Gupti with the visit to Bhitarkanika Mangrove Ecosystem. But the venue in Bhubaneswar is yet to be decided and will be communicated to confirmed participants in appropriate time. 'Assistance' will be provided to arrange the Hotel accommodation in Bhubaneswar on Payment basis. You may send us your requirement, number of persons, duration of stay in advance by 30 September 2008.
Please visit www.sandhanfoundation.info to know more about CCRC-Gupti.

CONTACT:
Bijay K. Nanda, bknanda@sify.com
K-7/141, Kalinga Nagar, Ghatikia-751003, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
TeleFAX: 91-674-2360699. Cell: 09938371960
http://pankaj-atcrossroads.blogspot.com

C/o Kalpavriksh
Apt. 5, Sri Dutta Krupa,
908 Deccan Gym
Pune 411004
India
Tel: 020 25654239
Mob: 09423009933
Email: psekhsaria@gmail.com