Water in an Arid Land: Young Scientist Expedition to the Thar Desert of India

	PROJECT DESCRIPTION A joint UK-Indian expedition, involving 41 young people, lasting three weeks, to examine the environmental impact of the Indira Gandhi Canal.	AREAS OF SCIENCE Astronomy Chemistry Computing Engineering / Technology Environment Interdisciplinary Life Science / Medicine Physics	WHERE School Other institution Field / Expedition WHEN In curriculum Extra curricular Work experience	SCHOOL TYPE Primary Secondary to 16 Post 16 Independent Maintained Sixth Form College Further Education
	PROJECT ORGANISERS Dr Eric Albone, Clifton Scientific Trust; Mr Derek Jackson, FRGS, FITD, Indo-British Education and Exploration Trust; Lt Col S S Singh, FRGS, Youth Exploring Society of India.

Project Participants

Project participants included 45 young people (mainly 16_20 year olds); 21 from UK from maintained and independent schools (75% female); 22 from India (75% male); two from Australia. This was a voluntary activity, conducted out of term. Recruited by advertisement to schools, students were selected on the basis of their application form and their determination to raise their own funds (part of the challenge). Previous experience was not required.

Science Programme

Figures in bright clothes cluster round tables outside a building

The women's group with villagers

The scientific aim of the project was to explore the impact of Himalayan water from the Indira Gandhi Canal on the life of rural communities and the natural environment of the Thar Desert of India. The expedition was based at a site 100 km west of Bikaner (Rajasthan) which has received canal water since 1988.

Four linked study programmes were developed in collaboration with the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur. The group compared sites which are heavily influenced by the canal with sites which are remote from its influence. There was scope for both team and individual studies.

Soils and agriculture: A soil survey was conducted at sites extending out 8 km from the canal. In parallel, farmers were asked about crops planted, their use of irrigation and fertilizers, about crop rotation and crop yields and about the changes brought about by the canal. (CAZRI advisor Mr D C Joshi).

Botany: Plant species were classified and identified and interrupted belt transects were taken out from the canal. Plant vigour increased dramatically as the canal was approached, but so also did vegetational degradation due to human pressure. (CAZRI advisor Dr S Kumar).

Figures taking measurements on the ground in an arid environment

Rodent study in progress

Rodent ecology: The abundance of rodent burrows, particularly in association with desert plants, and the evidence of rodent activity in the adjacent sand was quantified. Villagers also reported considerable loss of grain through rodents. The student team sought to understand of the relationship of rodents to human activity by the trapping, identification, measurement and subsequent release of rodents in different habitats, by the excavation and mapping of burrow systems for different species, and by observing rodent activity. (CAZRI advisor Dr R S Tripathi).

The use of natural resources by villagers: Following a detailed Village Profile Questionnaire completed by interview with the Headman of each village studied, the team visited and interviewed villagers in their homes. Team members devised their own strategies for this process. One group of girls specifically concentrated on women's issues. (CAZRI advisor, Dr L P Bharara). In addition, there was a small moth diversity study.

Science facilitators: Expedition members included: Dr Eric Albone (Chief Scientist), Dr Tessa Smith (Zoology), Miss Sue Westoby (Soils/Agriculture), Mr Dominic Jones (Botany), Dr Tania Eber (Medicine), Mr Dave Birkett (Mapping), Mr Hugh Welford (Moths).

Personal Development

Organisers were as concerned that the student team gained from the experience of taking responsibility for the science programme. By contributing to the solution of real problems faced by people living in a very different culture, students were able not only to see science in a human perspective but also to grow to understand and value more fully the contribution each member makes to the work of a team. Close friendships were formed between UK and Indian young scientists and all gained an appreciation of the lives of the villagers among whom they worked. A confidential questionnaire administered to the team before, during and after the expedition revealed how profound the experience had been.

Outcomes

This expedition showed that even a short 'young scientist expedition' can provide an effective vehicle through which science can be appreciated as a profoundly human activity in a cross-cultural context.

A full photographic/video record of the expedition was produced (Peter Bowerman; Margaret Percy, IBEET). Young scientists maintained their own personal and scientific log books and a full expedition report and other publications are being produced. Public presentations were given by students in India (in Delhi before a government minister) and the UK (at SET97 and at the Annual Meetings of the British Association and the Association for Science Education). The detailed Expedition Report will be filed with the Royal Geographical Society and the Outline Report contained in their Expedition Yearbook, 1994.

Project Origin

This expedition arose as a partnership between Clifton Scientific Trust and the Indo-British Education and Exploration Trust (IBEET) which, with the Youth Exploring Society of India (YES), aim to enable young people to derive personal and intellectual benefits from adventure and meaningful field work.

The UK-based IBEET was founded in 1992 by Derek Jackson (formerly Principal of Outward Bound Ullswater, Director General of Young Enterprise, Chairman of the British Schools Exploring Society, and holder of the Seagrave Memorial Medal), Margaret Percy (professional freelance broadcaster) and Nigel Gifford - all Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and veterans of many expeditions ranging from Everest to the tropical rainforests. The Youth Exploring Society of India was founded in 1989 by Col Surgit Singh and Derek Jackson, joint leaders of the 1988 Indo-British Schools Exploring Society West Himalayan Expedition.

Key decisions concerning the Science Programme were made following a preliminary planning visit to Rajasthan by the Chief Scientist with Lt Gen R K Gaur, PVSM, Rtd, who provided invaluable support throughout.

Resources

The expedition ran from 12 December to 9 January 1993/94; project participants were in the field from 17 December to 3 January.
In view of the very short time the expedition was in the field, specialist guidance was essential to ensure its success. Invaluable practical advice was provided by Mr Prakash Detha of Borunda, the staff of CAZRI, Jodhpur, (Director Dr J Venkateswalu with Dr A S Kolarkar, Mr A Kar, Dr N L Joshi and the scientists mentioned in the text) and also by the Urmul Trust in Bajju. The moth diversity study was undertaken in conjunction with the Natural History Museum, London (Dr G Robinson). The expedition was supported by high quality leaders from the Outward Bound Trust and leading outdoor development centres.
All expeditioners paid for their place on the expedition, raising funds by approaching charities, organising fund raising events and by obtaining casual employment.
The Science Programme was assisted by a grant from the Scientific Research in Schools Scheme (advisor Dr Andrew Warren, UCL).

Contact

Dr Eric Albone, Clifton Scientific Trust, c/o 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA.
Tel: +44 (0) 117 9247664.
or
Mr Derek Jackson, Manor Cottage, Trenowth, Grampound Road, near Truro, Cornwall TR2 4EH.