Geography & Environmental Studies

MAEKOK RIVER VILLAGE STUDENT CENTRE

Geography & Environmental Studies

THE AIM

The underlying theme of all the fieldwork carried out is change and the impact that change is having on the local community and environment.

Although studied within the relatively small region around Ban Thaton, the changes which are looked at are a reflection of those affecting the whole of northern Thailand.

The aim of the fieldwork is to give students the chance to study these changes and to engage in a variety of fieldwork activities which will enhance their learning of a number of important issues.

Herewith are the modules currently available to you; either use the hyperlink or scroll down the page to get to the module of your choice:

Ref. No: 2.4.1. Look & learn – Jungle Trek 1

Ref. No: 2.4.2. Hydrological Study 1

Ref. No: 2.4.3. Agricultural Study 1

Ref. No: 2.4.4. Health Studies 1

Ref. No: 2.4.5. Pollution Studies 1

Ref. No: 2.4.6. Migration Patterns 1

Ref. No: 2.4.7. Tourism Studies 1

Ref. No. 2.4.8. Migration Patterns in Chiang Mai

Ref. No. 2.4.9. Urban Issues in Chiang Mai

Module 2.4.1
Time 6 Hrs

This module entitled ‘Look & Learn – Jungle Trek 1’ introduces participants to the subject of environmental studies with a jungle trek through areas typical to Northern Thailand. During the trek participants are encouraged to be observant of their surroundings by completing a series of tasks during the trek.

On completion of this module participants should have an increased understanding of some of the environmental issues facing Thailand, and a perspective on lifestyles of the hilltribes.. The module is conducted as follows:

Participants depart on the full day trek through a local mountain range, where they will learn, amongst other things, about deforestation and global warming.

Learning in the field - where one can actually experience the concepts that are being taught is the key to this module. Real scenes of deforestation and erosion can be compared to other areas of lush forest we encounter on the trek.

Local villages and the daily lives of their inhabitants are studied, and attention is paid to learning about the crops they grow, and the traditions they follow.

A quality of life survey is carried out in several of the hill tribe villages we visit.

A comparison between the different tribes villages visited is made as part of the quality of life survey.

Discussion, and examination of geographical features encountered en route are a part of the module,such as how a waterfall we encounter is formed.

N.B.: A shorter, less comprehensive 2-hour module is also available.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Ban Thaton area.

Equipment provided: Module workbook, water bottle, medical kit.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for trekking.

Module 2.4.2
Time 4 Hrs

This module is entitled Hydrological Studies 1 - The Mae Kok River which has its headwaters in Burma, is a major tributary of the Mekong River.

The drainage basin has suffered from massive deforestation over the last 50 years or so due to clearances for agriculture and because of the practices of the logging industry.

Changes in land use have an impact on the flow characteristics of rivers and detailed studies of the Maekok River will give students an insight into the changes.

Access to 30 years of hydrological data of the Mae Kok River will give students the opportunity to see how the discharge and sediment yield of the river has varied over time.

On completion of this module will have seen the effects of deforestation on the river system. They would also have learned how to conduct a viable river survey.

Participants learn how to calculate the discharge of the Maekok river and how to calculate the amount of sediment carried by the river.

This practical learning is continued from the first module as it shows the participants the consequences of the type of deforestation they witnessed on the look and learn trek 1 (2.4.2).

Several geographical survey techniques - Velocity/ Cross Sectional Area/ Discharge/and Sediment Load, are taught and put into effect in a practical and enjoyable manner.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: The Kok River at Ban Thaton & student centre laboratory.

Equipment provided: Module workbook, Water flow rate meters, depth measuring sticks, distance measuring rope, water sample flasks, water bottle, medical kit, life vests, river barges.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for boat work.

Module 2.4.3
Time 4 Hrs

This module is entitled Agricultural Study 1. In recent years, an effort has been made by a number of agencies to develop agricultural practices in Northern Thailand.

The aim of the projects are varied but essentially revolve around the need to improve the socio-economic conditions of the farming community and to protect the land from soil erosion by halting removal of forest.

Students will be able to observe traditional agricultural practices such as shifting cultivation, and development projects as well as patterns of farming which are more suited to the local environment.

Upon completion of this module participants should have a better understanding of the environmental problems faced by Thailand and possible solutions, that can, and have been applied worldwide.

This study is carried out at a nearby Royal Agricultural project designed to educate the local populace on the advantages of new styles of farming over the environmentally damaging methods of the past.

Participants will learn about new farming technologies.

Review the arguments of cash crops vs the older practice of rice and bean farming.

Several geographically orientated tasks are carried out in areas where the older methods of farming are employed. This gives the participants an idea of the causes and negative effects these methods have, namely erosion.

This module repeats the lessons learned earlier on the effects of deforestation.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Ban Thaton area.

Equipment provided: Module workbook, all measuring devices, water bottle, medical kit, transport to and from the site.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for trekking.

Module 2.4.4
Time 4 Hrs

This module entitled Health Studies 1 deals more exclusively with a local hill tribe village, health problems and the effects of social and environmental pressures on the villagers health.

On completion of this module participants should have a greater understanding of the health problems facing the hill tribe peoples and the solutions they are forced to adopt to ensure a continuous healthy diet.

We study the problems of and reasons for high population growth in a particular local Paulong village.

Participants conduct a health study on local village children, as part of an ongoing cultural study continued by Track of the Tiger, with various environmental study groups. (Measurements such as, weight, height, body fat, pulse are taken)

We take a look at the way a usually environmentally aware hill tribe has been forced to adopt farming methods to cope with nutritional demands that have arisen due to the huge population growth of the village.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Fang area.

Equipment provided: Module workbook, scales, body fat calipers, measuring tapes, water bottle, medical kit. Transport to and from the site.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for trekking.

Module 2.4.5.
Time 4 Hrs

This module entitled Pollution Studies 1 Consideration of the impact of development on the environment is a low priority by people generally. This simple suggestion is characterised by water pollution and students will be able to study how a river near Ban Thaton changes from a clear, fast flowing stream to a heavily polluted sluggish trickle as it flows from the forested highlands, through a small town and across an intensively cultivated lowland.

The negative changes over such a small distance are very evident to anyone.

On completion of this module participants should have a greater understanding of the causes and effects of water pollution.

Students will visit the river at different points along its short course to assess the cause and affects of pollution.

They will learn how to calculate river discharge and how to
carry out pollution measurements. Students can see and measure for themselves the impact of people on the quality of water and can judge what wider impact this has on the area and the local communities.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Fang area.

Equipment provided: Workbook; flow meters, depth and tape measures, water pollution test kits, rubber gloves, rubber boots, transport to and from the site.
Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for trekking.

Module 2.4.6
Time 4 Hrs

This module entitled Migration Patterns 1. Ban Thaton has grown rapidly over the past 30 years since the construction of a bridge across the Mae Kok River and the completion of the main road to Chiang Rai in the late 1980's.

The characteristics of the population should follow classic migration models and through questionnaires and statistical analysis, students will be able to find out about the migration patterns of the population of Ban Thaton.

On completion of this module participants should have a greater understanding of the role migration has played the development of Ban Thaton. They will also have a clear understanding of how to correctly compile and evaluate statistics involved in establishing migration patterns.

Participants learn how to carry out questionnaires amongst local
people. Processing the results on computers provide students with a detailed picture of the migratory characteristics of the residents of the area.

Students can consider what are the implications of the patterns observed.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Fang area.

Equipment provided: Module workbook, migratory pattern worksheets.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing.

Module 2.4.7
Time 4 Hrs

This module is entitled Tourism Study 1. Tourism has come relatively recently to Ban Thaton as access improved due
to the completion of the all weather road to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Individual travellers as well as tour groups pass through Tha Ton daily and tourism is seen by many as a principle source of income.

Upon completion of this module participants should have a clear understanding of the relationship and importance of tourism to the community of Ban Thaton.

Participants will carry out land use impact studies by mapping the land use of Ban Thaton to identify the affect that tourism has had on the settlement.

Using questionnaires students will find out how local people see tourism as a positive or negative influence.

Instruction: Student centre instructor.

Location: Ban Thaton area.

Equipment provided: Equipment: Blank survey map; questionnaires

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, suitable clothing for trekking.

MODULE 2.4.8. MIGRATION PATTERNS IN CHIANG MAI
TIME : 3 HRS

This module deals with the nature of migration of the peoples of Chiang Mai. Rural - urban migration is considered to be a prime cause of urban growth in the developing world cities and the phenomenon produces a variety of associated issues to do with the structure of the pattern.

On completion of this module participants will, have a greater understanding of migration patterns in the developing world.

The module is conducted as follows:

Students carry out a detailed survey of Chiang Mai residents to ascertain

(1) If they are migrants
(2) When they arrived in Chiang Mai
(3) Their sex
(4) Their age
(5) Their socio-economic status.

Results are collated and the findings tabulated, graphed and analysed. Issues which the findings raise are then discussed.

Instruction: Student centre instructor

Location: Central Chiang Mai

Equipment Provided: Survey sheets and workbook.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, etc.

MODULE 2.4.9. URBAN ISSUES IN CHIANG MAI
TIME : 6 HRS

This modules considers many of the different issues linked to urban growth. These issues are typical of those in most rapidly expanding cities in the developing world.

On completion of this module participants would have gained a sound understanding of the problems facing "Third World" cities as well as the difficulties facing those trying to alleviate the problems.

The module is conducted as follows:

Students will carry out traffic surveys in various locations to ascertain the volume and type of traffic.
Simple air pollution surveys are performed in order to assess the extent of this problem.
Land use surveys of different parts of the city serving to illustrate the haphazard nature of urban development and the conflicts that may arise from it.
Environmental quality surveys allow students to further build a picture of the extent to which rapid urban growth can cause distinct urban problems.

Instruction: Student centre instructor

Location: Central Chiang Mai

Equipment Provided: Survey sheets and workbook.

Students to provide: Pens, pencils, etc.