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Marine Conservation - Coral Reef Restoration Campaign (CRRC)

Coastal communities are the first ones to get affected due to the climate change. Post-pandemic, our hope of people living a more mindful life has flipped upside down and a new term called revenge tourism emerged. The freedom from lockdowns led to over tourism and non-sustainable practices that harm the environment and disturb its habitat. The extreme floods in locations like Spain and India and earthquakes in Turkey and other disasters across the globe in 2023 are a sign of Mother Nature’s call for help, couldn’t be louder! And we’re here to do our part and call on all those interested in helping her. This #climateactioncampaign is launched with the intention to support & build Chidiyatapu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a resilient destination through community-based tourism.

With our carefully curated sustainable travel-based experiences, we would love to get companies on board to help build their CSR and take their hardworking employees on a team-building outing with an impact campaign (CRRC) they’ll never forget and feel accomplished for life.

Among other conservation efforts, we are on a mission to restore & revive the marine ecosystem close to home and in other parts of the world. On our latest expedition, we led a group of passionate eco-warriors who engaged in the critical task of coral reef restoration in one of India’s Union Territories, Andaman, and Nicobar.

This expedition involved specially invited candidates joined by some seasoned members of our Tribe to experience an off-beat version of travel, build stronger bonds and contribute meaningfully to the environment through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 to build a world with less climate impact and SDG-14 to protect life below water.

Why Coral Reef Restoration?

Within just a few decades, our coral reefs have undergone severe damage due to changing water temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, invasive species and the physical impact of ship groundings and storms.

Reefs are the backbone for several ecosystems underwater. So it is crucial that we rally, work together, and restore health to this integral part of our environment.

By helping restoring coral reefs, we would be:

  • Providing breeding spaces for fishes and other marine animals. When fish breeding is affected it lowers the amount of fish for food which many people rely on, as a protein source, ensuring global food security.
  • Coral reefs act as hunting grounds for various marine species (as you’d have seen in ocean documentaries). Restoration ensures an ecological balance among marine life.
  • They act as a physical barrier between ocean and land, dissipating up to 97% of wave energy, which help mitigate hurricane damage and coastal erosion, while protecting coastal infrastructure.
  • Their economic value is estimated at around $9.9 trillion globally every year.

What Are The Objectives Of This Expedition?

By learning about the threats faced by marine life and the islanders of Andaman, Cherish Expeditions invites 15 aspiring change-makers to co-create impact through a learning module using virtual training and hands-on experience.

The expedition aims to:

  • Spread awareness, support and educate conscious citizens and local communities.
  • Collaborate and receive support from responsible organizations such as yourself.
  • Educate corporate employees about protecting marine habitats while taking in the local way of life.
  • Engage young learners and students across India to know more about coral reef conservation through awareness sessions and online competitions.
  • Creating opportunities for youth leadership against climate change and for coral reef conservation.
  • Support recovery efforts and work done by local communities associated with conservation of coral reefs and other endeavours in Andaman.
  • To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 13 and 14.

What Will We Do On This Expedition?

Cherish Expeditions has partnered with some incredible organisations in Andaman, namely, Reefwatch India and Lacadives to make sure everyone involved goes home with a transformative experience. While you are there also get PADI internationally certified and be a proffessional underwater Scuba diver and dive anywhere around the world!

The coral restoration process is detailed. So here are some activities and steps the Tribe takes during your time on the islands:

  1. Planting nursery-grown corals alongside coral reefs in the oceans.
  2. Ensuring that the artificially constructed habitats facilitate further natural coral growth.
  3. Buttressing the coral structures with the resilience needed to withstand threats, such as climate change.

Working with the coral reef may be the heart of this expedition, but there are several other holistic experiences included:

  1. Being an immersive project, we focus heavily on looking inward during our travels, so mindful meditation is the first step to success.
  2. As part of this, we also focus on helping you revitalize your body and mind through a series of wellness workshops.
  3. Besides marine welfare, the Tribe volunteers with farmers on their land, to understand and appreciate permaculture or sustainable farming better. So, we hope you’ll be able to use some of these tricks at home or in your office space.

Why Cherish Expeditions?

  • We travel to make a difference, take home memories, improve your sustainable impact image and leave only footprints.
  • Being the reason why a marine ecosystem thrives & continues to live.
  • Making your company and its personnel more aware and engaged in sustainability.
  • Helping your company become a public advocate for conservation.
  • Interacting & learning from the best in the industry to improve your company goals and CSR.
  • Experiencing traditional and unconventional sustainable practices for personal and professional development.

How Do We Contribute Through This Expedition?

You can provide support financially in conduct of the program and even be a sponsor for our conservation activities in the future. We have had several companies participate including Tata Motors, Responsible Tourism Mission Kerala, An initiative by Kerala Tourism, Casino Group of Hotels and few others who partnered with us earlier on our Conservation projects.

Join us in making the planet a better place for future generations!

Dive In & get in touch with us for sponsorships and CSR opportunities

Other Details

Dates & Duration: Custom Corporate 3-6 days Marine Conservation programs | October 2023 to February 2024.

Get in touch for more information on CSR for our community-led interventions, livelihood support programs, and virtual marine conservation cohorts to train youth climate leaders.

Participatory Cost for 3 days Marine Conservation Program: INR 85,000/- per pax  (Open Water PADI Certification with 4+ dives up to 18 meters, food & accommodation, learning stations, community interventions, boat rides, fun dives, socials and other inclusions mentioned below)  

Meet your host: Cherish Manjooran - Travelpreneur

Meet your Mentor: Nayantara Jain - Marine Biologist, Reefwatch India

Diving Instructor: Lacadives

FAQ

Where part of Andaman will this be happening?

This project will be implemented in Chidiyatapu, a district at the southernmost tip of Andaman. The region predominantly has fishing communities and the project team will work with them in restoration of corals. Enclosed by thick forests and dense mangroves, Chidiyatapu is known to be a haven for indigenous and migratory birds. You can also witness the rich biodiversity and a wide range of tropical flora and fauna. Due to the harmful side of the age-old Tourism, The rich coral reefs have been polluted and as a solution, we bring in handpicked conscious campaigners and eco-warriors.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions

  • Accommodation on sharing basis.
  • Drinking water will be available.
  • 3 times meal from the beginning until the end of the event.
  • All workshops and experiences mentioned in the itinerary and subject to availability.
  • Interaction with facilitators.
  • Hand sanitisers available throughout the journey.

Exclusions

  • Tickets and travel expenses to and fro from the venue and after the commencement of the program.
  • Any medical or other uncertain expenses.
  • Accommodation, travel, food etc post to the program conclusion will be at participants own cost.
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

What should we pack?

  • An eco-friendly water bottle (any material except plastic)
  • Sanitizers
  • Medical gloves and mask
  • Towel, face towel, hand towel
  • Toiletries(shampoo, shower gel)
  • Odomos
  • Notebook and pen
  • Any medications that are necessary to you.
  • Comfortable shoes for hiking
  • Wet clothes or bathing suits/swimwear. while you jump into the natural pool (Skinfit clothes for Scuba Diving is preferred which is available at your nearest Deccathalon)
  • Workout/yoga clothes
  • Sunscreen

 

Safe to Travel

Cherish Expeditions safety procedures are based on three major aspects:

  • Knowledge and Experience of the Cherish Expeditions Team
  • Knowledge of local population
  • The safety procedures laid down by reputed international organizations