ABOUT OMCAR FOUNDATION

Organization for Marine Conservation, Awareness and Research

OMCAR Foundation is a non-profit marine and coastal conservation organisation established in 2007 in Tamil Nadu, India. Rooted in the coastal landscapes and fishing communities of Palk Bay, OMCAR works to conserve marine and coastal ecosystems through field science, community participation, environmental education, capacity building and collaboration with government, academic and conservation institutions.

Our work is guided by a simple principle: lasting marine conservation is strongest when scientific evidence, local knowledge, government action and community participation come together. OMCAR therefore combines research and monitoring with practical conservation, education, capacity building and long-term engagement with coastal communities.

Over the years, OMCAR has developed a sustained field presence in Palk Bay and adjoining coastal landscapes, with particular experience in seagrass ecosystems, marine biodiversity, dugong conservation, mangrove restoration, coastal fisheries, GIS-based conservation applications, environmental education and community-based conservation.

The organisation also supports learning opportunities for students, young conservationists, fishers and government field personnel, helping to build practical skills and local leadership for long-term conservation.

OMCAR Foundation is an IUCN Member organisation and has participated in national and international conservation initiatives concerning marine biodiversity, seagrass ecosystems, dugongs and coastal conservation.

OUR MISSION

To conserve marine and coastal ecosystems through science-based field action, community participation, environmental education, capacity building and institutional collaboration, while recognising the close relationship between healthy ecosystems and the well-being of coastal communities.

OUR VISION

Healthy and resilient marine and coastal ecosystems where biodiversity is conserved, local communities participate meaningfully in stewardship, scientific knowledge informs management, and future generations inherit productive and ecologically secure coastal landscapes.

OUR APPROACH

Science and Evidence

We use field observations, ecological surveys, spatial data, monitoring and published scientific knowledge to guide conservation decisions and practical interventions.

Community Participation

We work with fishing communities and other local stakeholders as partners in understanding conservation challenges, developing practical responses and sustaining long-term outcomes.

Government Collaboration

We support conservation objectives through constructive engagement with government departments, public institutions and statutory authorities.

Capacity Building

We strengthen the skills of students, young professionals, fishers, field staff and conservation practitioners through practical training, supervised field learning and knowledge sharing.

Long-Term Engagement

We believe lasting conservation requires continuity. OMCAR prioritises sustained relationships and locally grounded conservation rather than short-term stand-alone activities.

Responsible Communication

We aim to present our own contribution accurately, acknowledge the role of partners and communities, and communicate conservation outcomes with appropriate scientific and institutional evidence.

OUR STORY

OMCAR Foundation was established in 2007 with a commitment to marine conservation rooted in field experience and direct engagement with coastal communities.

From its early work along the Tamil Nadu coast, the organisation developed a particular focus on Palk Bay — a biologically important shallow marine landscape that supports extensive coastal habitats, fishing livelihoods and threatened marine fauna.

Rather than treating conservation as a purely scientific or regulatory exercise, OMCAR developed a field model that connects ecological knowledge with the lived realities of fishing communities.

This approach has shaped the organisation’s work in habitat mapping and restoration, marine biodiversity research, conservation education, fisher engagement, rescue support, training, community initiatives and collaboration with government and research institutions.

As OMCAR’s experience grew, its work expanded from local field activities to wider scientific and policy engagement.

The organisation has contributed field knowledge, community experience and technical expertise to collaborative conservation processes involving government departments, research institutions, universities and national and international conservation organisations.

OMCAR continues to remain grounded in the places where it works.

Our institutional ambition is not simply to expand in size, but to improve the quality, evidence, durability and practical usefulness of conservation action in coastal landscapes.

WHERE WE WORK

OMCAR Foundation’s principal long-term field focus is the Palk Bay region of Tamil Nadu, India, together with selected adjoining coastal and wetland landscapes where its technical experience is relevant.

Our work has particularly engaged coastal areas and fishing communities in and around Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and other parts of the Palk Bay landscape, while selected projects and technical collaborations extend to other coastal and wetland areas according to conservation need.

Project locations vary according to conservation priorities, ecological suitability, partner mandates and approved project scope.

WHAT WE WORK ON

Seagrass Ecosystems

OMCAR undertakes field assessment, habitat mapping, ecological monitoring, restoration trials, threat assessment, conservation planning and community engagement relating to seagrass-dependent coastal ecosystems.

Seagrass meadows are among the most important habitats in Palk Bay, supporting marine biodiversity, coastal fisheries, sediment stability, carbon storage and species such as the dugong.

Our work seeks to improve understanding of these ecosystems while supporting practical conservation and restoration approaches appropriate to local ecological conditions.

Dugong and Marine Fauna Conservation

OMCAR has a long-standing focus on dugong conservation in Palk Bay.

Our work includes awareness, fisher engagement, habitat-focused conservation, field support, rescue-related collaboration and participation in wider institutional initiatives concerning dugongs and other protected marine fauna.

We recognise that the long-term conservation of dugongs depends fundamentally on protecting healthy seagrass ecosystems and working closely with coastal fishing communities.

Mangrove and Coastal Wetland Restoration

OMCAR supports the conservation and ecological restoration of degraded mangrove and coastal wetland systems.

Where appropriate, our work includes field-based restoration methods, hydrological improvement, habitat monitoring and community participation.

We aim to promote restoration approaches that address the ecological causes of degradation rather than relying only on planting.

Coastal Fisheries and Livelihoods

Fishing communities depend directly on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.

OMCAR therefore works to identify practical pathways that support both biodiversity conservation and livelihood resilience.

Our community-based activities may include conservation awareness, sustainable fishing practices, livelihood support, training, safety, environmental stewardship and local participation in conservation planning.

Marine Conservation Education

Environmental education has been an important part of OMCAR’s work since its early years.

We support learning for school students, college students, young conservationists, fishing communities and other stakeholders through field-based education, awareness programmes and practical conservation experiences.

Our aim is to help participants understand the relationship between biodiversity, ecosystems, fisheries, livelihoods and long-term environmental security.

GIS, Mapping and Applied Conservation Science

OMCAR uses geospatial and field-based technologies to strengthen conservation planning and ecological understanding.

Depending on project requirements, this may include GIS, GPS-based field mapping, remote sensing, drone-based photogrammetry, acoustic survey tools and other appropriate spatial methods.

These tools help identify habitats, assess change, document threats and support evidence-based conservation decisions.

Capacity Building and Leadership Development

OMCAR provides practical learning opportunities for students, graduates, fisher youth, field practitioners and relevant institutional personnel.

Training may include marine field skills, ecological survey methods, swimming and snorkelling, GIS, mapping, restoration techniques, community engagement and other conservation competencies.

We believe that building a new generation of locally rooted conservation practitioners is essential for the long-term protection of coastal ecosystems.

Research, Publications and Technical Support

OMCAR participates in collaborative research and contributes to technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, conservation planning, field protocols and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Our objective is to connect field evidence with practical conservation action and ensure that experience from coastal landscapes such as Palk Bay contributes to wider scientific and management discussions.

OMCAR AND INDIA'S FIRST DUGONG CONSERVATION RESERVE

India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay represents an important milestone for marine conservation in India.

The reserve was established through the Government of Tamil Nadu’s conservation process and Wildlife Institute of India, bringing formal protection and management attention to an ecologically important marine landscape supporting seagrass ecosystems, dugongs, fisheries and coastal communities.

OMCAR Foundation contributed long-term field research, community engagement and conservation efforts that supported the wider Government and institutional process associated with the establishment and conservation of India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu.

OMCAR continues to support conservation efforts in the wider Palk Bay landscape through field research, habitat conservation, education, community participation, capacity building and institutional collaboration.

INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT

OMCAR Foundation participates in national and international conservation processes that advance the protection of marine biodiversity, threatened species and coastal ecosystems.

A significant recent milestone was OMCAR Foundation’s role as the official proponent of IUCN Motion 025 – Recognising India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025.

The motion brought international recognition to the conservation significance of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay and highlighted the importance of conserving dugongs, seagrass ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and coastal livelihoods.

OMCAR continues to contribute field experience, scientific knowledge and community perspectives from Palk Bay to wider conservation partnerships, technical discussions and knowledge-sharing processes.

COLLABORATION

OMCAR Foundation believes conservation is most effective when institutions work together.

Over the years, OMCAR has collaborated with government departments, research organisations, universities, conservation institutions, international organisations, community groups and fishing communities.

These relationships may include scientific collaboration, technical support, project implementation, training, knowledge sharing, conservation planning, formal Memoranda of Understanding and funding partnerships.

OMCAR is committed to recognising each partner according to the actual nature of the collaboration and to acknowledging the contribution of government agencies, scientists, field staff, fishing communities and other stakeholders involved in conservation outcomes.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

OMCAR Foundation seeks to ensure that scientific and technical information used in its programmes is based on field evidence, appropriate methodologies, published scientific knowledge and collaboration with qualified institutions and experts.

Where possible, conservation claims are supported by field data, peer-reviewed publications, project reports, government records, monitoring information or independent institutional documentation.

We also recognise the importance of communicating uncertainty appropriately and distinguishing between preliminary observations, scientific findings and formal government decisions.

OUR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITIES

Coastal communities are not separate from marine conservation; they are central to it.

Fishing communities possess generations of experience and local ecological knowledge, while also depending directly on healthy marine ecosystems for food, income and cultural continuity.

OMCAR therefore seeks to engage communities respectfully and to develop conservation approaches that consider both ecological priorities and livelihood realities.

We believe durable conservation outcomes emerge when local people are meaningfully involved in understanding problems, developing solutions and participating in stewardship.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS

Marine conservation is ultimately a long-term responsibility.

The condition of seagrass meadows, mangroves, coastal fisheries and marine biodiversity today will influence the ecological and economic security available to future generations.

OMCAR Foundation therefore seeks to combine immediate conservation action with long-term investment in knowledge, local capacity, environmental education, scientific monitoring and young conservation leadership.

MOVING FORWARD

OMCAR Foundation remains committed to strengthening marine conservation through science, community participation and collaboration.

Our future direction is to deepen long-term conservation in Palk Bay and other relevant coastal landscapes, strengthen scientific monitoring, improve measurable conservation outcomes, support locally rooted conservation leadership and contribute practical field experience to national and international conservation efforts.

We will continue to learn from both success and failure, improve our methods through evidence and maintain a strong connection between conservation science and the communities whose lives are closely linked with coastal ecosystems.

Our goal remains simple:

Healthy marine ecosystems, informed and empowered coastal communities, and practical conservation that endures.