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Water is one of our most precious and indispensable commodities. Putting our favorite Lord Kelvin phrase into action (‘You can’t manage a resource you don’t measure’), SmartPhones4Water (S4W)-Nepal generates data to support students, researchers and policymakers in making wise water management decisions. Extreme population growth has led to stress on the water resources of the Kathmandu Valley, and the project initiated by S4W-Nepal has the objective of collecting the data necessary to quantify these stresses and inform sustainable water management, so that effective solutions can be developed and implemented. Although we began in the Kathmandu Valley, S4W-Nepal has recently been expanding efforts and data collection into other regions of Nepal as well.

Included below is an interview with Sadam Bala, one of our citizen scientists taking daily precipitation measurements. Each citizen scientist has their own story and unique perspective to share. Let’s see what some of his personal interests, experiences working as a citizen scientist in S4W-Nepal and other thoughts are.

Currently working at Nepal Electrical Authority (NEA) in Pokhara as an Electrical Engineer, Sadam Bala was born and raised in Bhaktapur. He completed his Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus, which is one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in Nepal. Along with his work, he is currently enrolled in Western Regional Campus in Pokhara, pursuing his Master’s in Distributed Generation. Besides academics and work, his personal interests are travelling to new places and up to now, he has travelled several districts of Bagmati, Gandaki, Dhaulagiri and some parts of the mid and far-western regions of Nepal. He looks forward to continuing to travel and explore new places! He loves exploring and learning about new things and the modern concept of ‘citizen science’ fascinated him and drew him into being a part of S4W-Nepal.

It has been a year since Bala became involved in S4W-Nepal as a citizen scientist taking daily precipitation measurements. He is one of only a few citizen scientists from Pokhara. In his interview, Bala said, ‘Data collection is the basis for scientific research.’ He believes effective and informative research is an outcome of good data, and good data is also the basis for appropriate management of natural resources (including water!) both in the present and looking to the future. He further added, ‘It is not a tough job to take a picture and send data through a mobile application. It only takes a few minutes a day, not at all time consuming’.  He feels happy to be able to participate in scientific research with minimal effort.  Bala was aware of the importance of the citizen science concept as in his interview he highlighted citizen scientists as a critical part of research. Through S4W-Nepal, he has learned about existing problems and data gaps in the water resources field and how citizen scientists can reduce or eliminate those data gaps.

To his fellow citizen scientists, he conveys a message that these types of projects help an individual learn new and interesting things and can make them aware of existing problems that need to be addressed. Besides, citizen science projects can help built a network among individuals with different experience and backgrounds, which can be crucial in their personal development as well as for overall community or nation-building in the long run. From his personal experience, he suggests that his fellow citizen scientists be dedicated, self-motivated and work selflessly as the work is important and only requires a few minutes each day.

Each day, Sadam Bala uses an Android application called Open Data Kit (ODK) to record rainfall collected by an inexpensive locally made rain gauge (each gauge costs about $1.50 USD). Bala is motivated to participate in the project because he is fascinated by the citizen science concept, and he understands that data collection is a very important part of scientific research. Because of this, he is also eager to participate in large scale data collection in the near future if any opportunities are available.

Citizen science helps ordinary people increase their scientific understanding. All it takes is a smartphone with good GPS, a camera and access to the Internet to deinstitutionalize science and help the inner scientist in all of us grow, learn, and participate in scientific work on a broader scale. It gives every one of us opportunities for better understanding of a variety of subject matters, from water resources to backyard birds to the time of year that flowers are in bloom.

YOU CAN BE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST TOO!!!!

S4W = citizen science + mobile technology + young researchers. Citizen science refers to collaborations between scientists and general people to fill important scientific data gaps and expand the horizon of scientific data collection. S4W-Nepal uses an Android application called Open Data Kit (ODK) for data collection with the help of citizen scientists. The advanced mobile technology with good GPS and camera have improved the reliability and accuracy of citizen science observations. The citizen science approach is very cost effective and rapidly scalable.

Happy Boxing Day Everyone!

This is our fourth interview with one of our citizen scientists who are collecting the data and doing the day-to-day work that makes our project in the Kathmandu Valley possible. We’re excited to introduce you to Sabina Tamang!

Q: What is your name?  A: My name is Sabina Tamang. 

Q: How old are you?  A: I’m 25 years old.

Q: Where were you born?  A: I was born in Okhreni, Sundarijal in the Kathmandu Valley.

Q: Where do you live in the Kathmandu Valley?  A: I live in Okhreni, Kathmandu.

Interviewer’s Note: Okhreni is located about 15 kilometers northeast of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, within Shivapuri National Park. Since it is located within a National Park, it still lacks basic infrastructure such as concrete houses, proper roads, shops, etc. Okhreni is a very important cultural site since it is near natural (i.e. still undeveloped) and located in the headwaters of the Bagmati River.

Q: Can you walk us through a typical day of life? What are the activities you’re doing?  A: In addition to being a mother and keeping a household, I am involved in S4W as a citizen scientist, and I have been taking precipitation and water level measurements for the past two years.

Interviewer’s Note: S4W-Nepal is thankful for the opportunity to provide part-time employment opportunities to people like Sabina in a way that provides supplemental income and adds value to their lives, as well as improving our understanding of Nepal’s water resources. It’s a win-win!

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?  A: I have one daughter, Aifa, who is three and a half years old.  I live with her and my mother.

Q: What is (or was) your favorite subject in school?  A: Nepali was my favorite subject.

Q: Can you tell us about a favorite moment of yours?  A: My favorite moments of my life are from my school days…

Q: How did you hear about the S4W-Nepal project?  A: I heard about S4W-Nepal through another citizen scientist named Sumina Tamang. She who lives in Mulkharka, on the other side of Shivapuri National Park.

Figure 2. Spring at Okhreni.

Q: What has been your experience as a citizen scientist with S4W so far?  A: As I mentioned before, I have been collecting precipitation and water level data for about two years. I have started noticing changes in the measurements I take throughout the year. I can now explain to people about base flow and runoff of rivers in my area. I have also started to understand the importance of the monsoon. I am also getting a stipend which motivates me in continuing to participate in the project. This project has helped me in boosting my knowledge about local resources as well as my economic condition.

Sabina is playing a critical role in S4W-Nepal as a citizen scientist and is one of the longest standing CS involved in our team.  Each day,  she uses an Android application called Open Data Kit (ODK) to record rainfall collected by an inexpensive locally made rain gauge (each costs about $1.50) and to record water level as seen on a gauge installed  near her house. Sabina is one of the citizen scientists who sends data regularly and is very dedicated in her work. She is motivated to participate in the project both because she feels a sense of responsibility and because she is financially compensated for her participation.  

S4W-Nepal is a collaboration between S4W-USA, Himalayan Biodiversity and Climate Change Center (HimBioCliCC), Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering (TU IoE), Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences (KIAS), Delft University of Technology, the Swedish International Development Agency, and Stockholm University.  Water is our most precious resource.  Lord Kelvin, a famous Scottish mathematician, once said, “you can’t manage a resource you don’t measure.”  S4W-Nepal’s goal is to generate the data necessary to support wise water management decisions. S4W aims to accomplish this with a three-pronged approach of Research, Education, and Employment. This project in the Kathmandu Valley is our first project.

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