FIELD TRIP REPORT
Submitted To submitted by
Shaima Tr Arafa
Principal 1 st SemB.ED, MEACT,Manjappara MEACT,
INTRODUCTION
Kerala Popularly known as "God's Own Country", Kerala is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. This exotic land is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, tropical climate, palm fringed beaches, misty hill stations, health resorts, wild life sanctuaries, enchanting art forms, grand festivals and, the serenity of the backwaters and the emerald blue Arabian Sea which promise an unforgettable holidaying experience to travellers. According to "National Geographic Travel", the leading travel Magazine, Kerala is one of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime and one of the 10 paradises of the World.
The scenic backwaters of Kerala comprise serene stretches of lakes, canals and lagoons located parallel to the coast of the Arabian Sea. The backwater regions of Kerala are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The tranquil backwater cruises are a once in a lifetime experience. Alappuzha, known as the 'Venice of the East', is especially popular for its houseboat cruises where you can soak in nature at its finest form.
Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 km of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other.Backwaters is one of the major tourism product of Kerala, being unique to the state. Traditionally used as one of the main transportation alleys, today backwaters offer a rejuvenating experience for tourists visiting Kerala.
The backwaters can be explored by hiring a boat for one or several days. If you go for more than a day, the boat usually comes with a navigator and a cook, which provide you with various facilities when exploring the backwaters. Backwaters are one of the largest fresh-water sources and rich in marine habitat as well as adds to natural beauty. Kerala has 3 backwater regions.
The most beautiful and accessible part of the back waters is the
Ashtamudi Lake located in district in Kollam. This is the second biggest lake in Kerala. The Astamudi is also home of several endangered marine species with rich bio-diversity. This lake is world-renowned for its natural beauty and large expanse of water, sandwiched between towns of Kollam. This is the most visited tourist area in South India and enthrals visitors all over world. Houseboat tourism, made this backwaters popular, where tourists can stay overnight in luxurious houseboats, enjoying natural beauty and wind off their stress. The very pretty Munroe Island is also a great place to visit and spend a few days at to take in the slow life, green surroundings of the backwaters and canals.
The field trip as per the curriculum was an exposure trip to a place of educational or historical importance. A report of tour has to be prepared by all student-teachers.the filed trip programme of MEACT College of teacher Education was planned for one day. It was a journey to Kollam. We covered Ashtamudi Lake and Kollam beach.
OBJECTIVES
The expected outcome includes providing situations for the student-teachers to learn and get acquainted with the process of organising/conducting a study tour /field trip and understanding the environment around.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE SPOT
We decided to conduct our field trip to make a visit to houseboat tourism industry, Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam beach for the purpose of attaining some learning experience.
PLANNING AND EXECUTION
A field trip is visit to a place away from the normal place of study. The purpose of the trip is usually observation for education, non-experimental research or to provide students with experiences outside their everyday activities.
As part of the B.Ed curriculum, we the first year students of MEACT and teachers planned for a field trip. There were so many suggestions regarding the date and place for the trip. Finally we decided to make visit to houseboat tourism industry, Ashtamudi, and Kollam Beach.The trip was conducted on 9th April 2021. There were around 40 students from English, Commerce, Malayalam, physical science, Natural science and social science optional. The number of teachers who accompanied the students was 5.The journey began by 9.00a.m.The students as well as teachers had a wonderful time in the bus.
We reached the destination at 10.00 a.m. The houseboat manager gave us a warm welcome. We entered the boat and had a welcome drink. The tour package include 6 hours luxurious journey through the Ashtamudi backwaters .Food, recreation facilities etc were arranged in the houseboat.
HOUSEBOAT
A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities.
The boat is very nice and clean and well looked. The staffs were very friendly and looked after all of our needs. We enjoyed seeing lot of house boats around and good backwater scenery. Houseboat was amazing!.The delicious Kerala style food was the major attraction of houseboat experience.
Our houseboat moved slowly through the famous Ashtamudi backwards. it was a great experience, as the crew were very friendly food was good, with typical kerala food. All of us enjoyed the ride.
There are several points where we can access the lake since there are many townships and villages on the banks of the lake. The multiple branches of the lake includes rivers and backwaters and the coconut plantations, small villages, Chinese fishing nets etc on the banks apart from the resorts, boating in the lake, fishing and other activities have made Ashtamudi Lake one of the most sought after tourist destination of Kerala.
ASHTAMUDI BACKWATERS
The Backwater stretch of Ashtamudi is one of Kerala’s unrevealed secret. Ashtamudi Lake is the second largest in the state of Kerala. Situated in the Kollam district, Ashtamudi Lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. About thirty percent of the historic Kollam town is encompassed by the placid Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam has been Kerala leading cities in the olden times. It was a leading trade capital of the old world from the era of the Phoenicians and Ancient Rome.
The backwaters of Ashtamudi are complex labyrinth. It is the second largest and deepest wetland ecosystem. The name ‘Ashtamudi ‘is adapted from the topography of the lake.‘Ashta’ means eight and ‘mudi’ means coned. The beautiful lake gets its name Ashtamudi, because of its 8 arms or channels. The scenic water body is the gateway to the backwaters. The labyrinthine network comprises myriad brackish lagoons, lakes, canals, rivers and inlets.
The serene backwater stretch of Ashtamudi Lake is embraced by clusters of palm and coconut trees. Typical quaint villages of Kerala dot the banks of the lake. The blessed ambiance is an inspiring muse. Writers, painters and observers are left in aware eof the beauty. The nurturing waters of Ashtamudi is them their source of livelihood for the villages. Fishing and coconut husking are two of the popular here.
The backwater of Ashtamudi is inhabited by innumerable species of life. It includes different varieties of mangroves, more than 50 species of avifauna and 40 species of wetland-dependent birds. The count does not stop here, more than 26 species of butterflies have been identified. Nothing short of God’s Own country describes the blessed region.
About 1.30 p.m. we had reached to our destination “Mandrothuruth”.it was a new experience to all of us. The island, accessible by road, rail and inland navigations.
TOURISM IN MANROE
Munroe Island is a hidden pearl in the backwaters which is composed of a cluster of 8 islands. Each of them is separated by small water channels and lakes. Munroe Island is located about 27 km from Kollam. The place is named in honour of Resident Colonel John Munroe, of the former princely state of Travancore. This scenic island is surrounded by Kallada River and Ashtamudi Lake and offers the stunning views of the lush green coconut plantation, which is a common sight in Kerela. Many people from nearby towns and cities visit this serene spot to spend leisure time in the warmth of the Mother Nature.
KOLLAM BEACH
Kollam Beach, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Beach, is a beach at Kollam city in the Indian state of Kerala.
An array of beach activities attracts huge flocks of tourists throughout the year to the pristine Kollam Beach. The panoramic visuals of the Arabian Sea are enchanting. A port city and one time bustling harbour for Chinese ships and trade, Kollam Beach is home to Chinese fishing nets, Chinese water pots and sampan-like boats even to this day. Go over for a cultural and spiritual joyride that shall stay with you forever.
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BENIFITS DERIVED FROM THE FIELD TRIP
Field Trip plays a vital role in the B.Ed curriculum, which serves a wide range of benefits in several ways including learning and teaching. Most importantly, field trips contribute greatly to build self-confidence and foster a sense of teamwork and community. It is highly recommended to add trips part of travelling; we definitely get abundantly memorable experience and deep knowledge of various aspects in life. It is true that field trip is a perfect combination of sightseeing, learning, travelling and hands-on learning opportunities.. It erases the boredom of classroom lectures and gives students the opportunity to visit new places and new environment which are good ways to awaken students’ interest.
The benefits that we got from this field trip are the following.
This programme help us to learn the process of conducting and organizing the study tour or field trips
This trip pays much attention to outdoor activities with a wide range of aspects in life.
It encouraged learning not only knowledge but also soft skills, life skills, communication skills and more.
It helps to develop exploration and imagination
It helps to create co-operation among friends and create more friendship
It helps to make good relations with the teachers also
It gave us the day with full of enjoyments and happiness.
PROBLEMS FACED
There was a clear planning for the field trip. We planned to start our journey at 7.30 a.m but the tour bus was so late, so we began our journey at 9.00a.m. Otherwise all other things are done according to the planning. There was no much trouble during the journey. The trip was awesome and completed successfully. The programme was very well executed as per the planning.
SUGGETIONS
I was enjoying the trip very well .It filled with much excitement and I did not want to go back. It was amazing and most memorable day for me. So I have no suggestions regarding this field trip programme.
CONCLUSION
The return journey began around 6.30 in the evening. Everyone was filled with much excitement and did not want to go back. The studious attitudes and efforts got completed successfully. The MEACT study tour 2021 has come to a full circle as we touched our college campus at about 8.00 pm. From there all of them went back to their homes. Each one of were tired but contented for sure.
On the whole, the trip was awesome. All had a fantastic time and it was very much helpful for developing the exploration, imagination and co-operation in the students. The teachers were also happy that everyone reached back safely and there were no much troubles during the journey.
To conclude, the trip was very informative, and at the same time memorable. So organizing such field trips will be very helpful for the students to learn new through observation, exploration and interaction. As we slept that night we were all rejuvenated and very much ready to welcome a clear morning of vivid colours of sky and grass.
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