This book offers a unique introduction to the study of shells and molluscs for all those who take pleasure in shells, the treasure of the sea. However, unlike other shell albums, compendiums or guides, the central focus of this book is on shells and not molluscs. Therefore, in addition to the classification and identification of shells, the book also addresses aspects including the shell art and shell craft of Goa, the importance of shells, and literary works related to shells and their writers. The book also describes various shell habitats of Goa.
The primary objective of this book is to introduce readers to the concept of shell heritage and to spark curiosity and scientific interest, not just among conchologists but also local and visiting beachgoers. Accordingly, it primarily uses straightforward, non-technical language. The book will also appeal to those readers without any previous knowledge of the subject, helping them to understand and appreciate the shells that theycollect from the seashores of Goa.
Dr Sangeeta Sonak is a marine biologist. Currently she is the Director of a non-governmental research organization, Centre for Environment and Natural Resource management, which aims at promoting activities relating to protection of environment. She has more than 20 years of research experience of guiding research teams and co-ordinating research projects from various highly reputed national and international organizations. She has been awarded prestigious international fellowships such as Fulbright Scholarship under Fulbright-Nehru Environmental Leadership Program (FNELP) at Virginia Tech Institute, U.S.A., United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) alumni award, JSPS Fellowship for Senior Scientist by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Erasmus Mundus Fellowship for Visiting Faculty to teach and conduct research at three European Universities by the European Commission. She has been awarded Shakti Prerana Puraskar by Vidnyan Parishad, India in March2014 in recognition of ongoing commitment and dedicated service to environmental sciences, for innovative research at the frontiers of environmental science and for exceptional potential to shape the future through intellectual and inspired leadership. She has edited a special issue of an Elsevier Journal ‘Journal of Environmental Management’, authored four books, has research publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Currently she is dedicated to work on coastal ecosystems under a project titled ‘Seas and shores around us’.
