FIELD VISIT

Field Visit

An Overview

Field visit is an important study method in geography.

One can comprehend various geographical concepts and elements through a field visit.

In this chapter, the concept of field study is explained through a conversation between a teacher and

students. They had gone on a field visit from Naldurg in Osmanabad district to Alibag in Raigad

district.

During the visit, the students discussed about relief, water bodies, plants, soil types, agriculture, human

settlements, types of houses, human occupations, climate, rainfall, etc. Beside, some important points

about the field visit are as following:

1. Importance of field visit.

2. Preparation for field visit.

3. Precautions that should be taken during field visit.

0.1. (A) State Whether the Sentences are
Right or wrong. Correct the
Wrong Ones.

1. We get firsthand geographical information through the field visit.
2. The main objective of a field visit is to enjoy the nature.
3. To get the information about any factory we should prepare a questionnaire before visiting.
4. It is our responsibility to manage the waste generated during the field visit.

Answers:

1. Right
2. Wrong
The main objective of a field visit is to gain
geographical information about the region through observation.
3. Right
4. Right

Q.1. (B) Answer in One Sentence

1. What is field visit?
Ans: Field visit is an important study method in geography through which geographical concepts and elements can be directly experienced.
2. What is the aim of field visit?

Ans: The aim of field visit is to gain geographical information about the region through observation as well as questionnaire.

3. How is field visit useful?
Ans: Field visit is useful for understanding the correlation between human and environment.
4. What do you think is essential for
understanding the journey of field visit?
Ans: A route map is essential for understanding the journey of field visit.
5. How can we get the summative information or data of the region from respective office?
Ans: By using questionnaire, we can get the
summative information or data of the region from respective office.
6. Guess in which season of the year is the field visit being undertaken?
Ans: Based on the discussion given in the lesson, the season of the field visit must be that of the "Retreating monsoon.'

Q.2. Answer the following

*1. Outline the importance of field-visit.
Ans: Field visit is a visit to factory, farm or museum made by students and a teacher for the purpose of firsthand information.
The importance of field visit can be explained through the following points:
I. It is a practical method of studying geography.
ii. Various geographical features can be directly experienced through field-visit. Also, one can collect several samples from the area of the visit which helps to understand the subject in a better manner.
iii. Field visit also helps in understanding the geographical and social conditions of a place. It enables one to comprehend various geographical concepts and elements easily.
iv. It also provides an opportunity to directly interact with the local people and understand their problems.
V. It is extremely useful for understanding the correlation between humans and environment.
2. Which factors should be considered for
making the field visit successful?
Ans: In order to make the field visit successful, the following points have to be considered:
i. Understanding the aim of the visit or the topic to be studied during the visit.
ii. The climate and rainfall of the region to be visited should be studied before deciding the time of the visit.
For e.g. A visit to the region of Konkan which receives very heavy rainfall, should be planned in the months from October to May. Similarly, visit to the Ajanta-Ellora caves in the Marathwada region should be avoided in the months of April and May when the temperature is very high.
iii. Once the place of visit is finalised, the list of things to be observed should be decided and appropriate time must be allotted for the same. Permissions for visiting different places must be taken, wherever required.
iv. Making a list of things that would be required for the field visit is important. For e.g. Map of the route and the place of visit, magnetic compass, binoculars, questionnaire, etc.
*3. What items will you take with you for the field visit?
Ans: If I were to do a field visit, I would have carried the following things:
i. Identity card
ii. Notebook and questionnaire
iii. Pen
iv. Pencil
V. Ziplock bags to collect samples
vi. Camera
vii. Binoculars
viii. Magnetic compass
ix. Map of the place
X. First aid kit
xi. Information booklet about the place to be visited
xii. GPS enabled mobile phone
xiii. Cap
xiv. Water bottle, etc.
*4. Prepare a questionnaire for a field visit to a factory.
Ans: A questionnaire for a field visit to a factory will be as follows:
i. When was the factory established?
ii. Which product is manufactured in the factory?
iii. Where does the raw material required for the production come from?
iv. Who provides water supply to the factory?
v. In which market is the final product sold? How far is this market from the factory?
vi. While setting up this factory, how many
workers were provided with the means of
livelihood?
vii. Which are the various roadways or railways that can be used to reach the factory?
viii. What provisions have been made for the betterment of workers? etc.
ix. What precautions have been taken to prevent a fire hazard?
x. What precautions have been taken to prevent or reduce environmental pollution?
*5. How will you manage the litter during the field visit?
Ans:
i. It is our social responsibility to ensure that the cleanliness and sanctity of the place of visit is not disturbed during our visit.
ii. So during field visit, we must ensure that we do not throw trash or litter around us.
iii. We must use the dustbins for throwing empty packets of snacks, empty water bottles, left-over food items, etc. Also, we must try to segregate dry and wet waste.
iv. We must carry huge garbage bags so as to use them to collect trash in absence of a dustbin or if the dustbin is overflowing with garbage. This garbage bag can be disposed later.
*6. Make a report on your field visit.
[Note: Students are expected to prepare a report using the following points.]
Ans:

i. Introduction (Here, the concept of field visit and its importance with respect to study of geography can be explained.)

ii. Location and Route Map (The map of the place of visit as well as that of the route to be taken for travel can be mentioned.)
iii. Natural Features (Information about the various geographical features of the place like mountains, plateaus, rivers, coastal regions, type of soil, etc. can be mentioned.)
iv. Climate (Information about the climate in the region including temperature, humidity and rainfall can be mentioned in this point.)

v. Flora and Fauna (Names of the peculiar plants and animals found in that region can be mentioned.)

vi. Human Settlements  (Population in the

selected region, type of houses, type of
settlements etc. can be mentioned.)
vii. Occupations (The varied occupations practiced there by the local people and its effect on the life of the people can be mentioned in this point.)
viii. Land use and Type of crop (The land use in the region of visit, the various methods used for cultivation and the types of crops cultivated can be mentioned.)
ix. Important Historical Places (Information about the various historical places visited on the route as well at the place of visit can be mentioned.)
x. Environmental problems (Discussing and understanding the various environmental issues with the local people and mentioning the same in the report.)
7. If you were a part of this field visit, what
preparations would you make?
                                     OR
Suppose teachers ask you to plan the visit,
how will you plan the details of the trip?
(Textbook page no. 1)
Ans:If I were a part of this field visit or if my teachers ask me to plan the visit, I would have planned the same in the following manner:
i. will select an appropriate place for the visit in accordance with the topic of study and decide the time of visit based on factors such as climate, etc.
ii. I will also collect the map of both, the place to be visited as well as the route to be taken. I will contact the local trained guides of that place & the people having knowledge of that place and request them to guide us during our visit. I will
also take the necessary permissions from the authorities of that area.
iii. I will make the travel arrangements based on the number of students and teachers.
iv. I will estimate the total expense by considering the various factors like travelling, stay & food, etc. and accordingly make arrangements for the same.
v. I will inform all the people who are
participating in the field visit about the place and time of departure.
vi. I will carry first aid kit, GPS device, torch, dry snacks, water bottle, etc. during the field visit.
vii. With the help of teacher I will prepare
questionnaire which will be useful to get
information during field visit.
8. What precautions will you take continuously during the field visit?                                                         (Textbook page no. 2)
Ans:I will take the following precautions
continuously during the field visit:
i. I will strictly follow the instructions given by the teachers and avoid wandering here and there.
ii. As Field visit provides an opportunity to
experience and study the things which I have read in my book, I will focus on the topic of study during the visit so as not to miss out on important details.
iii. I will immediately note down in the book everything that I observed carefully.I will preserve the book as well as the samples that I have collected during the visit.
iv. I will take pictures wherever necessary during the visit.
v. I will keep contact numbers, first aid kit, etc. for any emergency situations.
vi. I will take care that the natural surroundings are not harmed and the historical monuments are not tampered with during the visit.
9. Collect more information about mud and
wood houses (dhabyachee ghare).
                                         (Textbook page no. 2)
Ans:
i. The houses which have a flat roof made of wood & mud and walls made up of clay are known as dhabyachee ghare or mud and wood houses.
ii. These houses are built in regions of low rainfall like the Marathwada region in Maharashtra.
iii. Since such houses are built very close to each other, they result in a linear type of settlement.
10. Correlate pulse cropping with low rainfall.
                                         (Textbook page no. 2)
Ans:
i. In Maharashtra pulses like tur, moong, lentil, udad, chawli, gram, etc. are grown in areas receiving low rainfall.
ii. These crops grow in places with very less water supply and average fertility.
iii. The rhizobium bacteria found on the roots of these plants help to fix atmospheric nitrogen turning it into a more readily useful form of nitrogen. This leads to increased fertility of the soil.
iv. Also, the total duration of a pulse crop is less than the duration of other types of crops.
Thus, cultivation of pulse crops is beneficial in areas receiving low rainfall projects.
11. Obtain information regarding multi-purpose projects.
                                         (Textbook page no. 3)
Ans:
i. The water resource projects planned for
multiple purposes are known as multi-purpose projects.
ii. The dams constructed for multi-purpose projects are large in size and the water stored by them is used for irrigation, recreation, generation of electricity, flood control, fish and wildlife conservation, etc.
iii. Some examples of such multi-purpose projects in India are Jayakwadi Multi Purpose Project on Godavari river, Indira Sagar Multi Purpose Project on Narmada river, etc.
12. Vegetation is an indicator of difference in precipitation'. What are the other indicators of difference in precipitation?
                                         (Textbook page no. 3)
Ans:
i. The difference in precipitation or rainfall can be determined by the type of vegetation in a particular area. Short and thorny shrubs like cactus, acacia, etc. are found in areas receiving low rainfall, whereas in areas receiving medium and heavy rainfall, trees like mango, banyan, tamarind, teak, nilgiri, etc. are found.
ii. Apart from this, texture and colour of the soil, disintegration of rocks, humidity in the air, etc. also indicate the amount of precipitation in the region.
13. How will the terrain below appear to the birds from the sky?
                                         (Textbook page no. 4)
Ans: The birds flying in the sky will be able to see a large portion of land in single view. The unevenness of the land will also be clearly visible to them. However, every object will look very small in size to them.
14. Out of which process has the plateau of
Maharashtra formed? What is the main type of rock seen here?
                                         (Textbook page no. 4)
Ans: The plateau of Maharashtra has been formed due to volcanic eruption. The main type of rock found here is the basalt rock.
15. Gather information about forts. Consider the following points for it:
                                         (Textbook page no. 5)
i. Determination of location
ii. Period of construction
iii. Construction style
iv. Security mechanism
[Note: Students are expected to collect information about forts based on the following points.]
Ans:
i. Determination of location:
a. What must be the reason for selecting a
particular location for the construction of the fort?
b. What was the importance of the fort with
respect to the surrounding area?
c. Which geographical features of the region were useful for the construction of the forts?
ii. Period of Construction:
a. During which period and the reign of king & dynasty was the fort constructed?
b. During which year did the construction of fort get completed?
iii. Construction Style:
a. Which materials were used for the construction of forts?
b. Is there a natural lake near the fort or was an artificial one constructed for the supply of water?
c. What was done to maintain the fort?
iv. Security Mechanism:
a. How many bastions and gates does the fort have?
b. How many different types of cannons are
available on the fort?
c. Are there any secret exits passages from the fort in case of emergency?
16. Do you agree that regions and necessities influence the difference in the means of livelihood?
                                         (Textbook page no. 6)
Ans: Yes, I do agree with the fact that the means of livelihood get influenced by regions and necessities. This can be explained as follows: The natural resources, the soil and the rainfall of a particular region determine the type of occupation carried on by the people of that region. This forms the primary occupation. Accordingly, the allied occupations are created on the basis of this primary occupation. This forms the Secondary occupation. To support both, the primary as well as the secondary occupations, the need for tertiary occupation arises. For e.g. The need to
transport the final products from the place of production to the place of market.
Hence, we can conclude that, the primary, secondary and the tertiary sector would differ from region to region depending upon the geographical features. This fact helps us to understand that regions and necessities influence the difference in the means of livelihood.
17. What is the concept of Devrai"?
                                         (Textbook page no. 7)
Ans:
i. Devrai is the concept wherein several sacred groves in various parts of India or a part of forest, are protected by local communities as they have some religious connotation to them.
ii. Generally, hunting and logging is prohibited in these patches and use of the produce from the plants as well as grazing of cattle is not allowed. People are strictly prohibited from wearing footwear while visiting these areas.
iii. This concept helps in preservation of rare medicinal plants, animal species, insects as well as the texture and fertility of the soil. This further helps in maintaining the level of ground water.
18. What precautions have to be taken while going to the sea coast?
                                         (Textbook page no. 7)
Ans: The following precautions must be taken while visiting the sea coast:
i. The local people staying close to the coast have better knowledge about the depth of the sea. Hence, they must be consulted before entering the sea water.
ii. The rules as well as the warnings mentioned on the boards alongside the coast must be strictly followed.
iii. The timings of high tide and low tide must be known beforehand.
iv. Avoid clicking selfies on the rocks or any other construction near the coast; as it can prove fatal.
v. Avoid going deep inside the sea.
19. What is the simplest method of
understanding the timings of the tides?
                                         (Textbook page no. 7)
Ans: The simplest method of understanding the timings of the tides is by calculating it as
follows:
Timing of high tide = phase of the moon x 4
Suppose we have to calculate the timings of the
tide on the fourth phase of the moon. Then,
according to the formula, we get
Timing of high tide = phase of the moon %
- We get, 4 x+4=3.
It means high tide will occur at 3 a.m. and
3 p.m.
Low tide will occur approximately 6 hours
from it i.e. at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
20. What type of photographs will you click with respect to the field visit?
                                         (Textbook page no. 8)
Ans: The type of photographs to be clicked will depend on the purpose of my visit.
For e.g. If the purpose of my visit is to study
the various landforms formed due to the sea waves, I will click pictures of sea caves, beach, sand bar, wave-cut platforms, rocks, etc.
21. On the basis of which points will you write the tour report?
                                         (Textbook page no. 8)
Ans: The following points must be considered while preparing a tour report:
1. Introduction
ii. Map of the place and the route
lii. Natural factors like climate, rainfall, etc.
iv. Human settlements (population, type of houses, occupations, etc.)
V. Type of crops cultivated
VI. Important historical places
VII. Environmental problems
viii. Deployment of land for various uses
IX. Use of pictures and diagrams at appropriate places
22. During field visit, how will you obtain
various types of information?
                                         (Textbook page no. 8)
Ans: During a field visit, I will obtain various types of information in the following ways:
i. I will collect fruitful information about the place of visit from the local people or from the local trained guides having knowledge about the region.
ii. Boards with information about the local area are displayed at various places by the
archaeological department or other relevant departments. This will also help me in gathering authentic information about a particular region.
iii. I will also gather Information from the
Collector's Office
23. Carry out a similar field visit in your region too.
(Note: Students are expected to carry out the above activity with the help of their teachers.)