The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reported on a Sandwatch pilot project in two schools in Lhoknga, Aceh, Indonesia, which aims to improve understanding of coastal environmental management in an area that was heavily impacted by the 2004 tsunami.
11 March 2013: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reported on a Sandwatch pilot project in two schools in Lhoknga, Aceh, Indonesia, which aims to improve understanding of coastal environmental management in an area that was heavily impacted by the 2004 tsunami.
The Sandwatch training was held on 8-9 March, and brought together 40 participants from two schools, representatives from government, traditional fishermen leaders, and NGOs from the KuALA (Koalisi untuk Advokasi Laut Aceh, or Advocacy Coalition for Aceh Sea) network, which co-organized the training. The training included an outline of the Sandwatch methodology and beach parameters, including: beach debris; weather and climate; sea turtles; water quality; and mangroves. The outcome of the workshop included students drafting a work plan of activities, including monitoring activities starting at the end of March.
The training was the third of a series of workshops in Indonesia. The first two were held in Wakatobi in December 2012 and in Nusa Penida, in February 2013. [UNESCO Press Release]