Course feedback based on the comments of the participants (participants' names suppressed)

Rated satisfaction of participants with the course.

Criteria for course rating

Summary of responses on worthwhile things learnt by the participants during the course

• EIA framework and the best ways to approach EIA.

• The linkage between the natural disasters and the environment services.

• Importance of economic evaluation of biodiversity and the cost benefit analysis.

• Definitions and concept of biodiversity offsets.

• Case studies demonstrating application of global best practices, offsets and mitigation options for environmental problems.

• Importance of scoping, economic valuation of impacts and biodiversity offsets were most informative topics.

• The interrelationships between ecology and economy.

• The need to conserve our resources for maintaining ecological balance.

• Incorporation of biodiversity & economics in EIA.

• Strategy for good scoping.

• Millennium Development Goals.

• Application of impact matrix.

• Tools and techniques for establishing biological baselines.

• Group exercises.

• Economic evaluation of biodiversity losses.
   

Summary of responses on things that helped the participants work effectively

• Scoping using the matrix table.

• Brainstorming exercises were very effective/informative.

• Group exercises on scoping and role play simulation.

• Good resource material and well organized lectures and presentations.

• The handy information and the interaction with the instructors.

• Interactive sessions and role playing exercises.

• Instructor provided their best regarding the subject matter.

• Good food.

• Time schedule and course organizations.

• Good examples and cases.

• Good learning atmosphere.
   

Summary of responses on the things that kept the participants from being more effective

• Lack of glossary for some of the terminologies used.

• Limited discussions on valuing biodiversity.

• Frequency of breaks.

• More number of cases from industries should be included.
   

Summary of the comments on specific content of the course that the participants found useful

• Valuation of biodiversity.

• Understanding the ecological functions.

• Examples related to the experiences of participants.

• Actual activity on valuation of biological entities.
   

General comments and suggestions

• The course should run for 4 - 5 days sessions with more exercises.

• Overall excellent arrangements, good food, perfect time management and meticulous planning of the course.

• All the arrangements were excellent.

• We were comfortably put up in the hotel, food was good and course was planned with utmost care.

• Use of more case studies recommended and the case studies should include more marine related projects.

• A quiz to see how much information has been absorbed/ grasped by participants was recommended.
   

General comments and suggestions

• Environmental Economic Threshold Levels

• Disaster management.

• Tools for socio-economic assessment like PRA techniques.

• Guidance on preparation of wildlife conservation plans as part of mitigation planning.

• Focus on mining sector w.r.t. impact assessment and mitigation measures; Social impact assessment on R&R plans.

• Specific training for EIA of hydropower projects.

• Specific training for EIA of mining projects.

• Strategies for evolving mitigation measures.

• Niche/ Habitat modelling GIS, EIA & SIA.

• GIS, ecosystem modeling and economic evaluation approaches for biodiversity inclusive impact assessment.

• Economic evaluation of biodiversity.

• Economic valuation of biodiversity with special reference to aquatic ecosystem.