MUMBAI: The Mumbai based founder of Young Environmentalists Programme Trust, Elsie Gabriel, has been inducted in the Women Divers Hall of Fame in the USA recently.
Gabriel, who is also the LOreal Climate Champion and National Coordinator of Oceans Climate Reality Project, said: "It is a matter of pride to become a member of the prestigious WDHF in Los Angeles, USA. It will further help me in promoting marine biodiversity and its conservation."
WDHF is a global organization which recognises women divers who have made outstanding contributions to the exploration, ocean literacy, ocean understanding, safety and enjoyment of our underwater world and support the underwater world and its associated careers by promoting opportunities in diving through internships, and mentoring as well as a worldwide network of industry contacts.
Gabriel added: "I’m also looking forward to enforcing Ocean Literacy among schools and colleges in India and wherever I dive. I also train disabled divers. We must take our oceans seriously in order to prepare for climate disasters in the near future."
Women Divers Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 to recognize and honor the contributions of women pioneers, leaders and innovators in the many fields of diving and to promote careers and opportunities for women in the diving community worldwide. Gabriel has dived in Philippines, Galapagos, Maldives, Jamaica, Australia, Bahamas, Mexico, Grand Cayman as well as Kerala, Andaman’s and Lakshadweep.
Gabriel feels that ocean field work and being surrounded by marine life has increased her appreciation for water conservation, ecotourism, sustainability, environmentalism, and other eco-friendly practices. Ocean pollution and ensuring that more women join ocean conservation is her forte as she works with students in Mumbai.
