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!
Figure 1. Sabina with her daughter Aifa.
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 moments 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.