Scuba diving has begun to catch the attention of environmentalists in Tamil Nadu. People's Action for Development (PAD), an NGO at Vembar in Thoothukudi, is making scuba diving a reality for researchers and environmentalists.

The NGO, founded in 2002, introduced scuba diving in 2004, with the help of the Christian Children Fund of Canada (CCFC). PAD now has 12 professional scuba divers, including two women. "Scuba diving here is basically meant for conservation of marine ecosystem, monitoring coral reef and providing alternative livelihood for fisherfolk," said Rajendra Prasad, founder and MD of the organisation. PAD, in an effort to provide alternative livelihood, has trained free of cost 21 youth from coastal villages and they were absorbed by forest authorities for monitoring of coral reef in the Gulf of Mexico, he said.

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*Sourced express buzz September 22, 2009