Environmental Stewardship: Date: December 18-25, 2009
Grade 07, 08, 09 & 10 (Vertical grouping)‘An ounce of experience is better than a ton of theory simply because it is only in experience that any theory has vital and verifiable significance’.
This statement according to John Dewey was the basis to set up this programme that would stimulate certain visible and tangible ways of learning. Significantly the programme moved onto an integrated study across many subjects to offer each student an opportunity to experience the trans-discipline approach.
Andamans and Nicobar Islands are some of the last remaining refuges of the lost world. The location offers a unique opportunity to understand areas of anthropology, environmental studies, socio-economic status and also natural hazards. These programmes with 14 students were grouped vertically (depending on the age group) in the four areas of research, which included:
:: Anthropology and the recent historyThe six aborigine tribal community (four in Andamans – The Jarawas, Onges, Great Andamanese and the Sentinelese) (two in Nicobar – Shompens and Nicobarese) form the basis of habitat since ancient times. Each of these tribes has different origin from the Negroid to the Mongoloid race. A theoretical study coupled with a visit to the Anthropological museum offered an excellent learning about these populations and their living habits. It was also a rare opportunity to witness the movement of the Jarawas in the ‘south Jarawa Reserve’ while on our journey towards Baratang Caves.
The entire Archipelago was controlled by the British for a long period of time under the British East India Company controlled from Calcutta. This is one of the reasons why A & N came under Indian Union. However it has come with a certain price of keeping the prisoners, convicts and freedom fighters in the presently historical monument ‘The Cellular Jail’. Students visited the jail that also houses the historical museum, which was an eye opener to the freedom-related crimes. They further moved on to visit the Ross Island that was once a bustling settlement of the British, which was later occupied by the Japanese during WW II. The ruins today on Ross are a witness to the nature’s control of island’s ecology.
::Physical geography
The formation of A & N islands is largely volcanic in nature. Some areas have shown continuous erosion and deposition. Some of those formations were witnessed in Neil Island (calcareous white sandy beach, cliffs, arh, caves and stacks) and Baratang Island (caves with stalactites and stalagmites, mangroves and lowland evergreen forest). Coral studies in Neil Island was carried out by coral walk along Laxmanpur beach, glass boat drive in Bharatpur beach and snorkeling along the fringes of Havelock island.
Baratang Caves located in the Middle Andamans offered an excellent learning while we traveled through mangrove and evergreen vegetation forest. The structure and function of both these vegetation were our focus before we reached the caves. The cave has a long geological history of up to 140 million years with a continuous dissolution of limestone. These structures were unique to understand both in-terms of age and formation.
::Socio-economic statusNeil Island with a population of 4000 plus heads sustains exclusively on agriculture, fishing, tourism and a small market area. Students undertook an extensive survey of the market area and other economic support to understand the sustenance of the island. At the time of survey they experienced varied response in the areas of one’s culture, language, economic strata of their family and opportunities during different seasons. Interaction such as this also made them sensitive to one’s livelihood options to the given environment.
::Hazards and disastersThe Asian Tsunami of 2004 was largely centered on the A & N islands. The plate movement and the nature of hazards were studied theoretically. The impact of Tsunami, which caused the destruction of corals, was assessed on the Neil Island especially during differential tide movement. The mud volcano on Baratang Island strengthened their understanding of hazards of seismic activity in this location. They also understood that these are the only active volcanoes present in India.
All these four areas of learning were carefully packaged the bigger understanding of Humanities in a confined geographical location. They have been documented exclusively through ‘Creative Documentation’ workshops. These workshops have provided a platform to research on photographing and video graphing styles (documentaries), writing scripts and collating them to produce their final product.
The programme with a combination of comfort and simplicity offered a realistic enriching experience of various insights into the island. It has also sensitized the students on issues related to impacts of tourism, environment, food and hospitality and lastly, life skills for one’s self.
Srinivasan K
Coordinator, IGCSE Programme
Teacher, Geography
Pratibha Reddy
Teacher, Biology & Geography
Indus International School Hyderabad
E-mail: srinivasan.k@indusschoolhyd.com
Travel and Service Provider : Andaman Adventure Travel Aid
website: www.andamanadventure.com
