role of science communication for grass root level capacity building in eco-hydrology - case study...
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ROLE OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION FOR GRASS ROOT LEVEL CAPACITY BUILDING
IN ECO-HYDROLOGY - CASE STUDY IN WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Pradip Kumar SenguptaJADAVPUR CENTRE FOR STUDY OF EARTH SCIENCE
[email protected]@gmail.com
ECOHYDROLOGY Ecohydrology is an interdisciplinary field studying the interactions between water and ecosystems.
SOCIETY AND ECOHYDROLOGY
Human society is a part of the ecosystem The society has the responsibility to protect
both water and ecosystem.Society as well as the policy makers need
motivation, knowledge and organised effort to act for IWRM
The common people and the policy makers at the grass root level should have scientific data and information for taking informed decision.
The society at the grass root should have the capacity to generate minimum required data.
capacity means Capacity is the ability of individuals, institutions,
and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives in a sustainable manner.
TASKTo achieve sustainability the society at grass
root level should have:Institutional system to create social
mobilisation on IWRMA cadre of field level workers capable of
generating simple hydroecological spatial and temporal data.
Linking Science to the societySCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Science Communication is a paradigm that integrates nature, people, theories and reality for better understanding the natural processes and can enable people to make intelligent and informed decisions.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION MECHANISM
ORGANISATIONAL SETUP
ECOHYDROLOGY FOR COMMUNITY
Simple Generic RelevantOnly simple topics/ concepts of ecohydrology are to be communicated such as
• Water cycle• Surface water• groundwater• river basin• watershed &
watershed ecology• water quality and
issues• water related
disaster• conservation water
The activity module should be generic so that people from different community can act together.
• periodical water resource monitoring
• Making aquatic biodiversity register
• River flow measurements
• Simple weather measurements
Both theoretical modules and the activity modules should be relevant to the society. It should have relation or consideration to: Cultural
background Socioeconomic
status of the society as a whole
Religious practices and festivals
Livelihood of the people
TOOLKITS FOR CAPACITY BUILDING IN ECOHYDROLOGYResource Book containing the fundamentals
of ecohydrologyTraining ManualActivity GuidebookAssessment forms and schedulesToolkits for public awareness containing
booklets, leaflets, feedback forms, etc
MEDIA OF COMMUNICATIONTraditional Training: Toolkits and Manuals: Workshops and Meetings: Audio Visual Aids: Community Radio, Local NewspapersFestivalsFairsSocial Media, Websites
Case Study in West Bengal
Project period 2007-09
Follow up 2010-11
Organisational Set up
FIRST PHASEPROGRAMME1. Formation of Sub basin Groups2. Preparation and production of Resource Materials
Resource book Activity guide book
Poster set Booklet
1. Holding Sub basin workshops2. Formation of 100 Jalabandhu Groups3. Training of Jalabandhu members
RESOURCE BOOKS
POSTERSSet of 9 posters developed, 100 sets printed and distributed to the
Jalabandhu groups
SUB BASIN GROUP WORKSHOPS
PHASE II PROGRAMMEDevelop a local level water resource
database both spatial and temporalHolding local level workshops on
participatory water resource managementDoor to door campaign and surveyExhibitionsPadayatra, rally, street meeting, road
show Meeting with local people and panchayet
VILLAGE WATER RESOURCE MAPS
GROUNDWATER DATA
POND MEASUREMENT
River Flow Measurement
Knowledge sharing
EXHIBITION
Programme summaryTotal Jalabandhu Groups formed :100Village level workshops conducted: 212
numbersEcohydrlogical data generated in : 121
VillagesCampaign programme conducted in: 131
villagesHousehold survey conducted in : 3758
householdsMapping conducted in: 121 villages
PARTICIPATION PYRAMIDSubbasin groups 68 members trained
Jalabandhu groups 800 members trained
Jalabandhu Action Programmes 3457 people Participated
Message reached to 150000 people through various campaign programmes
LESSION LEARNT• Effective science communication on ecohydrology is a task of
high expertise and time and sustained effort is required• Toolkit and the resource books made major achievement in the
knowledge sharing system, but folk media is more effective. • The action programmes including awareness building and door to
door survey generated ownership and motivation. • Mapping and data generation empowered the community to
participate in the decision making process.• Considering the vast geographical extent of West Bengal the
effort is small but is a replicable model of application of science communication to the grass root level
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