Environmental protector and songwriter K.G. Mohammed to receive 2024 Seacology Prize
We’re excited to announce that Mohammed Kolugege, or K.G. Mohammed, as he’s known around his native Minicoy Island, will receive the 2024 Seacology Prize this October. The longtime conservationist has dedicated his life to protecting the environmental and cultural heritage of Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep, India.
The Lakshadweep Archipelago lies in the Arabian Sea, roughly 200 miles from the west coast of India. They are India’s only coral islands. Minicoy is the southernmost island, and is the only one that supports mangroves and salt marsh ecosystems. Mohammed Kolugege has long been an inspirational figure on Minicoy, and his Seacology Prize is a well-deserved recognition of decades of work to preserve its natural beauty, resources, and unique culture.
Mohammed Kolugege served in his local government for 32 years as a field assistant in the fisheries department, teacher, and information officer. During his tenure, he passionately spread environmental awareness to people of all generations with creativity and compassion and helped to implement eco-friendly “pole and line” tuna fisheries throughout the Lakshadweeps. He also advocated—against stiff resistance—to save shipwrecks off the coast of Minicoy, which had been colonized by thriving corals and other sea creatures. Preserving them protects both the island’s maritime heritage and its valuable marine ecosystems. The community designated these shipwreck sites as no-take areas as part of a Seacology project in 2009. Today they are some of the best scuba diving sites in Minicoy.
In addition to his official work, Mohammed Kolugege has been a driving force behind the revival of the unique folk songs and dances of Minicoy. A creative writer and lyricist, he has even adapted these songs to advocate for environmental protection, and they are performed in schools and at village functions across the island. Recently, a song he wrote about the mesmerizing beauty of the coral islands was released at a grand function in Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep. He is the only person from Minicoy Island to have received the Best Folk Song Award from the Lakshadweep Sahitya Kala Academy.
Mohammed Kolugege has received other accolades as well. In 2013, the Indian government awarded him the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar award for outstanding contributions in the field of environmental protection. He was also chosen to attend the IUCN World Conservation Congress as a community leader from Minicoy Island to learn more about Locally Managed Marine Areas, and bring his new knowledge back to his island.
K.G. Mohammed has played a critical role in preserving the unique folk music traditions of his home island.
He has also curated the collection of unique cultural artifacts housed in Minicoy's museum, which has been supported by Seacology.
Since retiring from government service, Mohammed Kolugege has continued to serve his community as a social worker, conservationist, and musician. He collects and preserves many irreplaceable artifacts and relics from Minicoy Island that could have otherwise been lost. These artifacts are now safely housed in the Maliku Museum, which was built with financial support from Seacology, and are appreciated by both visitors and community members.
“This prestigious recognition has made me proud and happy,” Mohammed Kolugege said after he learned of his selection for the Seacology Prize. “I now feel a greater responsibility for the preservation of our museum’s collection as well.”
“K.G. Mohammed’s advocacy for Minicoy’s fragile ecosystems and his commitment to preserving its unique history and traditions truly reflect Seacology’s core values,” said Seacology Executive Director Duane Silverstein. “This year’s Seacology Prize is a much-deserved international recognition of his tireless work, which is a model for grassroots conservation leaders around the world.”
We will present Mohammed Kolugege with the Seacology Prize on Monday, October 14, at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California. As always, the prize ceremony is free and open to the public, but space is limited. We encourage you to reserve your seat soon!
We will also stream the event online.