Ecas Clima Report 2018

PROGRESS REPORT
March 2017 – March 2018
Distributed weather
monitoring system and child
climate volunteers in Wayanad
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and
(MSSRF) Environment (KSCSTE)
Report: 2017-18
Distributed weather monitoring system and child climate volunteers in
Wayanad
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre
Meppadi, Puthoorvayal, Wayanad
673 577 India
Phone: 04936 204477, 207019,
E-mail: office@mssrfcabc.res.in,
Website: www.mssrfcabc.res.in
AKNOWLEDGEMENT
Although the subject area of climate is vast, the meteorological study of Wayanad is the need of
the hour. To begin with, CAbC MSSRF in collaboration with KSCSTE commence with monitoring and
analysis of local micro climate of the district. For this, three Automated Weather Stations have
been installed in three different agro-ecological zones of Wayanad. As Prof. Swaminathan said
“while we hope for the best, we should also prepare for the worst scenario in climate change area”
Moreover, IPPC’s assessment Report 5(AR5) also indicates that climate change is likely to reduce the
agricultural productivity and impose threats on human security due to its direct and indirect impacts
manifested on water resources, agriculture, coastal areas resource dependent livelihoods especially
in Asian countries (IPCC 2013).
Taking this into consideration, since climate is inevitable, its effects can be largely extenuated with
better understanding of adaptation and mitigation strategies. In a nutshell, as described in the
proposal our study includes both traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge on climate change
involving child climate volunteers from six partnering schools, thus providing a helping hand to the
local farmers in building climate resilient agriculture.
We are obliged with a deep sense of gratitude to Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and
Environment (KSCSTE) for funding this project.
Dr.V.Balakrishnan
Head, CAbC MSSRF
Girigan Gopi
Pricipal Scientist, CAbC MSSRF
1. RC (E&E) Minutes in Agenda item no RC(E&E)/22.05 dtd 30.05.2015
2. Council (M) order No.189/2015/KSCSTE, dated :23.12.2015
3. File No.178/E&E/14/CSTE
4. Sanction No 1098/DIR 2016-17/KSCSTE, dtd 10.02.2017
Project title: Distributed weather monitoring system and child climate volunteers in Wayanad
PI (Names & Girigan Gopi
Address): Pricipal Scientist,MSSRF CAbC
Co-PI (Name & Binesh M.K
Address): MSSRF CAbC
Project Ninu Mehnaz
Coordinator: MSSRF CAbC
Dates of start: 10-02-2017
Duration: 3 Years
Report 2017-18 : Distributed weather monitoring system and child climate volunteers in Wayanad 5
CONTENTS
01 Introduction 07
02 Relevance of the project 08
03 Objectives 08
04 Procedure followed to select the schools 09
05 Partner schools 10
06 Cadre of Child Climate Volunteers 10
07 Establishment of Automated Weather Stations(AWS) 11
08 Baseline information about the level of knowledge of students about 11
climate change and biodiversity
08 Pilot study 11
09 Project Activities
10 Child climate volunteer camps 12
11 Vijayajwala –Science & Environmental Camp 13
12 Residential Camps
13 One day seminar and Teacher orientation 15
14 Workshops at schools 16
Collegial Programmes
15 Participation in Children’s Science Congress 19
16 National Science Day Celebration 19
17 General awareness to students 19
18 Ozone day celebration 2017 20
6 Report 2017-18 : Distributed weather monitoring system and child climate volunteers in Wayanad
Automated Weather Station website screen short

Honorable District Collector of Wayanad Sri .Suhas IAS inaugurates “One day workshop
on climate change” at CAbC MSSRF
Introduction
Climate change is a major environmental challenge that looms as a threat for the existence of living beings.
Primarily human activities have bestowed to alter the global climate pattern. In order to protect the fragile
ecosystems and to devise climate resilient practices in agriculture and other fields, availability of local weather
data and its analysis is very important. Considering the need for micro level weather monitoring systems and
sensitizing children about climate change, with the support of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology
and Environment (KSCSTE), M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation initiated this project and configured Au-
tomated Weather Stations (AWS) in three schools which represents three agro-climatic zones of the district.
Child climate volunteers attend the one day workshop on climate change at CAbC MSSRF.
Relevance of the project

Wayanad enjoys a fabulous microclimate that helped district to raise multiple crops and developed unique
agricultural practices. But due to drastic changes in weather patterns, farmers experience extreme events like
prolonged droughts, flash floods and increased incidences of pests and disease attacks. In order to sustain
agriculture, and for empowering farmers to adapt and mitigate climate change (weather vagaries), reliable
data on local weather conditions are important. No sufficient local weather data are available in our country
as of now. Hence meteorological data at village level is highly beneficial for the local community of Wayanad,
as major chunk of its population depend on agriculture for their survival. In this context, to create awareness
among children on possible impacts of climate change and to motivate them to think about local solutions to
the environmental issues they, this project has been implemented in selected six schools representing three
agro-climatic zones. The objectives of the project are:
Objectives
Recording and documenting daily weather data from three agro-ecological zones in Wayanad with
the weather monitoring kit established in schools.
Creating awareness among children on current climate change scenario in the local context and
equipping them to be the future “Climate Risk Managers”
Training the children and teachers in recording, analysis and interpretation of meteorological data.
Student community interface for two way information flow on climate trends and local adaptation
strategies
Project Implementation Site based on Agro-Ecological Units

Map showing location of six partner schools and three Automated Weather Station sites.
Procedure followed
to select schools
It was decided to select six schools from three different agro-climatic zones of Wayanad District (2 each from
three agro climatic zones).The project team ensured the participation of National Green Corps (NGC), Wayanad
Unit and Sarva Shiksha Abhyan (SSA) for selecting the schools.
The criteria for short listing the schools for implementing the project were (1) agro-climatic
zone (geographic), (2) infrastructure for running the project in respective schools, (3) the interest of
the school teachers to coordinate with the project, and (4) transport connectivity.
Based on the above criteria, 12 schools were short listed and after consultation with the
teachers and physical verification of infrastructure, the project team finally selected following six
schools for the implementation of the project.
Partner schools
Government Higher Secondary School, Perikkalloor Government Higher Secondary School, Panamaram
[AEU 21(4.8): Wayanad eastern plateau) [AEU 20(4.7): Wayanad central plateau]
Government Higher Secondary School, Valat [AEU Government Higher Secondary School, Vythiri [AEU
15(4.2): Northern high hills] 15(4.2): Northern high hills]
Government Higher Secondary School, Meppadi Government Sarvajana Vocation-

[AEU 15(4.2): Northern high hills] al Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery
[AEU 21(4.8): Wayanad eastern plateau]
Cadre of Child climate volunteers:

50-60 interested students from each school were selected as child climate volunteers who underwent
series of intensive capacity building programmes to understand the multiple aspects of climate change. They
will be further trained on meteorological data interpretation. Thus interpreted meteorological data will be fur-
ther shared with farming communities for equipping them with suitable adaptation strategy.
Schematic diagram to show the working principle of Automated Weather Station
Establishment of Automated Weather Stations (AWS)

Three AWSs have been installed in three different agro climatic areas of Wayanad.
1. Government Higher Secondary School, Perikkalloor
2. Government Higher Secondary School, Valat
3. Government Higher Secondary School, Vythiri
Each AWS has been installed with built in sensors for the following parameters
• Maximum and minimum temperature
• Rainfall
• Wind speed
• Wind direction
• Humidity
The data captured/recorded by these sensors are transmitted to a cloud-based server station through the
GSM Mobile network. HTTP protocol is used to transmit the data from AWS nodes to cloud storage. Data visualization
engine resides in the cloud provides a web-based GUI to visualize the weather data collected from various AWS nodes.
Baseline information about the level of knowledge of students about climate change and
biodiversity Established AWS with sensors
Project team collected baseline information from students
and assesses their level of knowledge related to climate change and
biodiversity. This will be further collected using a questionnaire to
assess the impacts of the project on the level of knowledge among
participant students and non-participants.
Pilot study:
As a pilot study, Focus group discussion (FGD) and ques-
tionnaire was prepared including basic questions on climate and
weather. All the child climate volunteers were given the question-
naire and tested as pilot study.
Shri.Manuel local farmers sharing their traditional knowledge

Shri. Augustine interacting with child climate volunteers
with child climate volunteers during a residential
camp at CAbC MSSRF.
Students of Government Sarvajana Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery presenting their assigned project at CAbC MSSRF.
Mr.Gopalakrishnan, MSSRF interacts with child Mr. Jayesh, MSSRF, expounds the botanic diversity and RET species
climate volunteers. in M.S.Swaminathan Botanic Garden.
Project Activities
Child climate volunteer camps

Conducted four residential camps for the child climate volunteers. Experts on various topics joined
hands and 176 children were given the opportunity to analyze and understand various topics.
Shri. Shajna Karim , DFO, Wayanad inspire the child

climate volunteers by her speech
Vijayajwala –Science & Environmental Camp

On February 16th and 17th 2018 ECAS-Clima in joint effort with District Panchayath Saasthra Paris-
thithi Council organized 2 days residential camp at CAbC MSSRF. 82 students from 29 schools of Wayanad
attended the camp. The programme intended to develop science and environmental interest in the younger
minds and to make aware that how science can be incorporated in our daily life for better environment. Mr.
Arun, Research Scholar, NIT, Calicut organized an experimental session on “Beauty of Physicis and its appli-
cations in daily life”. Then Mr. Benny, Chemistry Teacher, G.H.S.S Mananthavady explained “The chemistry of
atmosphere” and Mr. George, Retired teacher in Physics presented “Techniques to minimize the energy usage
in our daily life”T.N. Seema, Chairperson, Haritha Kerala Mission also addressed the gathering. All the students
were awarded with a certificate.
Various sessions during “Vijayajwala – Science and Environment camp” at CAbC MSSRF.
Government Higher Secondary School, Meppadi

21 students from GHSS Meppadi participated in the camp on 12th and 13th March 2018. Sri. Augus-
tine, a local farmer from Mananthavady shared his experience on farming and changing agricultural practices
related to climate change.
Government Higher Secondary School, Valat

A residential camp was organized on March 13th and 14th 2018 at MSSRF CAbC on Environmental
awareness. 45 students from G.H.S.S Valad attended the awareness seminar. Mr. Manuel elaborated the ad-
aptation strategies that they incorporate in their agricultural practices in the climate change scenario. Mr.
Jayesh briefed on the basics of taxonomy, followed by a garden visit. On 14th March 2018, an exposure visit
was organized to Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Calicut and Zoological Survey of India, Calicut. The
students also attended a session on “Rocket making’ at Planetarium and every student was encouraged to
make individual rockets.
Government Sarvajana Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery
The child climate volunteers of Government Sarvajana Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery at-
tended a camp on 20th March 2018. Mr. Gopalakrishnan, CAbC MSSRF welcomed the gathering and introduced
the activities of CAbC to the students. Ms. Parvathy had a session on the ‘Impact of alien invasive species to
coffee ecosystem’ and Ms. Sindoori briefed the effects of climate change on the coffee production of Wayanad
District.
All the children were given short duration assignments related to environmental changes documenta-
tion, adaptation strategies followed by farmers in accordance with the changing weather conditions etc…
The next day, an exposure visit was organized to Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Calicut
and Zoological Survey of India, Calicut. The students acquired vast information on day and night formation,
weather and seasons which is the basis for our study.
“Exploring the nature”-a walk through M.S.Swaminathan Botanic Garden.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS:
One day seminar and Teacher orientation
A session by Dr.C.P.Shaji
One day orientation programme was organized at CAbC M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation on
24th November 2017. The objective of the workshop was to create awareness on the changing climate of
Wayanad to the younger minds and making them aware about the importance of adaptation and mitigation
strategies for the changing climate in agro-biodiversity.
An orientation for teachers was organized in which they were notified of their duties with regard to
the project, so that they can incorporate with this project. Honourable District Collector Sri. Suhas IAS, who
emphasized the need of awareness among students on issues related to climate change. 111 students from
all the six schools of the project attended the programme. A technical session was delivered by Dr. C. P Shaji,
Icthyologist, delivered a session on “Effect of climate change on the life cycle of fish and their adaptation to
the new environment”.
Workshops at schools
Date: 20. 09. 2017

Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Vythiri
Topic: Introduction of the project, Climate & weather terminologies
Mr. Binesh M.K, Co-Principal Investigator and Ninu Mehnaz, Project Fellow visited Vythiri G.H.S.S and gave
an introduction to the project. 48 students attended the workshop. Since the students were unfamiliar with
basics of weather, they were given a presentation on climate and weather basic terminologies.
Date: 25. 09. 2017

Venue: Sarvajana Vocational Government Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery.
Topic: Climate & weather terminologies & Human activities and micro climate
The project team visited Sarvajana Vocational Government Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery. Mr.
Nandhakumar, CAbC M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation elaborated the basic terminologies on climate
and weather and the impact of human activities on the weather of Wayanad district. 57 students attended
the workshop.
Date: 26.09.2017
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Perikkalloor.
The objectives and responsibilities of the child climate volunteers were elaborated by Mr. Binesh M.K.52
students attended the workshop. The basic weather and climate terms were briefed for their better under-
standing.
Date: 04.10.2017
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Valat.
An inauguration of the project was organized at Valat Higher Secondary School on 4th October 2017. Dr.
V. Balakrishnan, Head, CAbC MSSRF presided over the function. The role of children in disseminating the
weather reports accessed from the installed Automated Weather Station at Valat school.
Date: 06.10.2017
Venue: Government Sarvajana Vocational Higher Secondary School, Sulthan Bathery.
Topic: Climate & weather terminologies, weather and farming
The child climate volunteers were informed of the various impacts of human activities which would directly
Inaguration at GHSS Valat.
Child climate volunteers of GHSS Valat.

or indirectly lead to climate change in long run and thereby destruction of the agriculture. Moreover they
were familiarized with the basic terminologies in climate and weather.
Date: 13.10.2017
Topic: Awareness on climate change & weather and farming
The climate change awareness on a global perspective is very important for the younger generation hence
the changing global scenario with respect to agriculture was given attention.
Date: 21.10.2017
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Meppadi.
Topic: Climate terminologies, weather and farming
Sivan. V.V, Senior scientist, M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation addressed the students on the impor-
tance of the various parameters of weather like maximum and minimum temperature, humidity, rainfall,
wind speed and direction and the importance of each parameter in the local farming practices.
Date: 24.10.2017
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Valat.
Topic: Weather monitoring system
The technical details of the Automated Weather Station installed at Valat GHSS were briefed to child climate
volunteers by Mr. Binesh M.K. He also briefed the sensors of the five parameters installed in AWS and the
importance of communicating the weather information to the local community.
Date: 7.11.2017
Topic: Effect of human activities on micro climate
Ninu Mehnaz, Project Coordinator handled a session on the effect of human activities on the micro climate
of an area and in turn the agriculture of the area. Awareness on daily activities to children was elaborated so
that they can make a long way to for a better environment. 57 students attended the campaign.
Date: 9.11.2017
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Vythiri.
Topic: Awareness on climate change & weather and farming
From the pilot study and FGD, a basic awareness on climate change and its impacts on farming were pre-
sented to them. Active interaction at the end of the session was observed.
Mrs. Sujatha T.K , Head Mistress, GHSS Meppadi and Mr.V.V.Sivan, Senior Scientist MSSRF reach out the students.
Date: 6.12.2017
Topic: Communicating weather information
The need of communicating weather information to the local farmers was effectively presented. 57 students
attended the presentation.
Date: 8.12.2017
Topic: Awareness on climate change
Sudheesh. K, Project Coordinator, State Biodiversity board, elaborated the weather and climate differenc-
es, terminologies, impact of human activities on the weather pattern of an area and thereby how farming is
affected as a result of climate change.47 students attended the session.
Date: 18.01.2018
Venue: Government Higher Secondary School, Panamaram.
Topic: Impact of climate change on agriculture
Girigan Gopi, Principal Scientist, MSSRF elaborated the impacts of climate change and thereby the role of
students in adaptation and mitigation strategies in making safer environment. Ninu Mehnaz, Project Coor-
dinator, presented the objectives and focused on the activities of the project.97 students participated in the
session.
Date: 2.02.2018
Topic: Importance of communicating weather information to the local farmers
Mr. Gopalakrishnan, MSSRF had an interactive session with the students. The importance of communicating
weather to the local farmers was discussed. Also they were assigned with short duration projects relating to
biodiversity and environmental studies. All the children were clustered into 4 groups and the projects were
presented very effectively. An enthusiastic participation was of the students was witnessed.
Date: 9.02.2018
Also they were assigned with short duration projects relating to biodiversity and environmental studies. All
the children were clustered into 4 groups and the projects were presented very effectively. An enthusiastic
participation of the students was witnessed.
Mr K M Balanarayanan, Head Master, GHSS Perikkalloor and Mr. Krishnakumar with child climate volunteers of GHSS Perikkalloor.
Collegial Programmes
Participation in Children’s Science Congress:

ECAS- Clima students from Government Higher Secondary School, Valat participated and won appre-
ciation in the National Science Congress held at Ahmadabad 2017 and won second prize in State level Chil-
dren’s Science Congress at Peechi also won second prize District level Children’s Science Congress (Junior)
2017.
ECAS Clima students from Government Higher Secondary School, Panamaram participated in State
level Children’s Science Congress at Peechi also won first prize in District level Children’s Science Congress
(Junior) 2017.
ECAS Clima students of Government Higher Secondary School, Valat participating at National Children’s Science
Congress 2017 at Ahmadabad.
National Science Day Celebration:

ECAS Clima of MSSRF in association with Kerala State Council For Science Technology and Environ-
ment, Vikram Sarabhai Science Club, STEP (Students Total Empowerment Programme) organized 5 days Na-
tional Science day celebration from 21st to 25th February 2018 at Government Higher Secondary School,
Valat. The whole programme was concentrated on the theme “Science and Technology for Sustainable En-
vironment”. A total of 160 students attended the function. Sri. Girigan Gopi, Principal Scientist, MSSRF dis-
coursed the key note address and lectured on the sustainable development and goals to be attained. Ninu
Mehnaz, Project Coordinator, MSSRF narrated felicitation.
Mr. P.Hasees, GHSS Valat and Mr. Girigan Gopi speaks on “Science & technology for sustainable future” on National
Science Day Celebration 2018 at GHSS Valat.
Sudheesh. K, Project Coordinator with ECAS Clima students
General awareness to students:

As a part of awareness to the students, we extended our support to the 68 students of AUP School
Padinjarathara. They were given awareness on the environmental issues of Wayanad. The students also had a
garden walk accompanied with MSSRF Team.
Awareness seminar to AUP, Padinjarathara students at CAbC MSSRF.
C.S.Dhanya ,MSSRF at GHSS Vythiri.

An awareness seminar on “climate change and
ozone depletion” was organised at GHSS Vythiri as a
part of Ozone Day Celebration. C.S.Dhanya, Scientist,
MSSRF illustrated the importance and significance
of Ozone layer and the need for celebrating ozone
day. 115 students attended the seminar.
ECAS Clima students at Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Kozhikode.

Distributing
22 Reportsaplings
2017-18at Valat G.H.S.S
: Distributed weather monitoring system and child climate volunteers in Wayanad
Mr. Jones John interacting with child climate volunteers
ECAS Clima students at MSSBG

Rocket making
Ecas Clima team at Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode.

Design & Layout: DILEEP.K(MSSRF CAbC)
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

Community Agrobiodiversity Centre
Meppadi, Puthoorvayal, Wayanad
673 577 India
Phone: 04936 204477, 207019,
E-mail: office@mssrfcabc.res.in,
Website: www.mssrfcabc.res.in

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PROGRESS REPORT

March 2017 – March 2018

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

Automated Weather Station website screen short

Relevance of the project

Project Implementation Site based on Agro-Ecological Units

Government Higher Secondary School, Meppadi Government Sarvajana Vocation-

Cadre of Child climate volunteers:

Schematic diagram to show the working principle of Automated Weather Station

Establishment of Automated Weather Stations (AWS)

Shri.Manuel local farmers sharing their traditional knowledge

Child climate volunteer camps

Shri. Shajna Karim , DFO, Wayanad inspire the child

Vijayajwala –Science & Environmental Camp

Government Higher Secondary School, Meppadi

Government Higher Secondary School, Valat

“Exploring the nature”-a walk through M.S.Swaminathan Botanic Garden.

One day seminar and Teacher orientation

Date: 20. 09. 2017

Date: 25. 09. 2017

Inaguration at GHSS Valat.

Child climate volunteers of GHSS Valat.

Participation in Children’s Science Congress:

National Science Day Celebration:

Sudheesh. K, Project Coordinator with ECAS Clima students

General awareness to students:

Awareness seminar to AUP, Padinjarathara students at CAbC MSSRF.

C.S.Dhanya ,MSSRF at GHSS Vythiri.

ECAS Clima students at Regional Science Centre and Planetarium, Kozhikode.

Mr. Jones John interacting with child climate volunteers

ECAS Clima students at MSSBG

Ecas Clima team at Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode.

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

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