Sharing field work experience in India, 2012

I returned from India this summer after spending six months collecting data for my dissertation.  My dissertation is on the role of local institutions in natural resource management. For data collection I was working in the central Himalayan region where I visited several villages to interview people about forest management activities that are conducted and coordinated by the local institution in the region. This local institution is called Van Panchayat (Forest Committee), it is a traditional institution that dates back to 1931. Since it was formed before independence (India got its independence in Aug 1947), it is significant in terms of rights of locals’ to natural resources. I collaborated with an NGO working in the region that helped me with navigating remote villages and also with arranging accommodations in the villages. Going from one village to another was a challenge, as there was lack of proper road network, driving was near to impossible, but thankfully there were paths/trails that very intricately connected all the villages.  Those trails were very beautiful, they cut through dense temperate/sub-tropical forests and since I would walk on those trails on early mornings and evenings, it also gave me chance to spot some beautiful birds on my way.  I used to walk 7-10miles/day on an average to get to my destination, which was pretty hard in the beginning, but with time my body adapted. Also, lot of walking helped with keeping the body warm during cold winters. Unlike west, east experienced one of the coldest winters last year. The houses in the hills in India don’t have central heating system, they barely receive a continuous 24hr supply of electricity and water, so people burn wood to keep their houses warm, and drink lots of ginger tea to keep their bodies warm!

To understand the dependence of people on the forests, I did a lot of homestays. Staying with local families was one of the most enriching experience, it gave me a chance to see firsthand how closely these people’s lives were associated with forests. Also it was amazing to see how self-depended those people were, they almost grew all their food, right from grains to cereals to fruit and vegetables and even spices. Without any outside help, the family members would work together to manage their fields-it was quite incredible!  I got very attached to all the families I’d lived with, they took very good care of me and always made sure that I was comfortable.

While I was conducting field work in India, I also got funding from Environment Change Institute (University of Oxford) to participate at a conference in London, U.K. This was a unique opportunity for me to share ideas about my research, talk about its progress and at the same time get valuable feedback from experienced researchers/professionals working in the same area. Being my first time in the UK, this was a great chance for me to also explore parts of England and Scotland too!

Before I started my field work, I was apprehensive about going to a strange place and being able to work successfully. But I was pleasantly surprised by the kind of encouraging response I got from people.  I feel thankful to have had the opportunity to live and work in India amidst the beautiful Himalayas and it’s people-it was the most rewarding and an inspiring experience. Great trip overall! 

This piece also got published in my department's newsletter last year.