Careers in Geography

CAREERS IN GEOGRAPHY
Geography is one of the oldest and the fastest growing fields of knowledge. Geography which is regarded as the “Mother of all Sciences” has undergone a process of evolution from descriptive stage to analytical stage.

The terminological meaning of “Geography” is description of the earth. But the Modern Geography tries to seek answers to questions like what, when, where, how, why and who.

Geography is a mixture of both Social and Physical Sciences. A good geographer is one who has sound knowledge of Geology, Zoology, Botany, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, Mathematics, Sociology, Economic, History, Anthropology, Political Science etc….

Geography studies a little bit of everything with its own unique approach such as spatial or aerial analysis.

In countries like United States of America, Russia, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, Geography is a very popular subject in Schools, Colleges and Universities. In India though Geography is taught as a compulsory subject in the schools but it is not very popular in higher education due to misunderstanding and lack of awareness about the subject.
Geography plays a significant role in the process of planning. Countries that have taken Geography seriously have progressed faster than those countries that have neglected the role of geography in planning.

GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION IN INDIA
Imparting of Geography education began during pre independence period. Geography was first taught at the undergraduate classes in the colleges that were affiliated to Punjab, Patna, and Aligarh University during 1927/1928. The first university to start Post Graduate Department of Geography was Aligarh University in 1936. Today out of 256 Universities, Geography is taught in 83 Universities.

GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION IN GOA
Geography is a popular subject among students in Schools, Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges of Goa. In the state of Goa, Geography is taught as an elective subject right from the days of Bombay University for the undergraduate classes. Today of the 16 non-professional colleges, 7 Colleges are imparting Geography education at undergraduate level namely,
DPM’s Shree Mallikarjun College, Canacona (1993), Government College, Pernem (1993), C E S College, Cuncolim (1987), Government College, Sanquelim (1988), Government College, Khandola (1989), Government College, Quepem (1989), and S P Chowgule College, Margao (1962). Apart from Non-professional Colleges, Colleges of Education also offer Geography subject. Year 2004-2005 opened a new chapter in Goa as Post Graduate Department in Geography was opened at S P Chowgule College, Margao.

JOB OPENINGS IN GEOGRAPHY
In the past many questions were raised regarding the employability of Geography. People think with Geography you can become only a teacher but the reality is different. Modern Geography offers plenty of job opportunities.

COMPETITIVE EXAMS:
A large number of Competitive Exams are conducted in India by various organizations like UPSC, GPSC, Railway Board, Bank Boards etc. Every student is required to appear for General Knowledge Paper. In General Knowledge, Geography is one of the important components. About 25-30% of the questions asked are based on Geography. It is observed that a good number of doctors, engineers, and other professionals appear for IAS, IPS and IFS exams. These professionals opt Geography as one the subjects for exam. This is one area where geography students can do better.

TEACHING DEPARTMENT
In teaching department jobs are available in Schools, Higher Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities with different qualifications. Students after Post Graduation can also perceive their higher studies in research from any Indian or Foreign University.
INDIAN DEFENCE SERVICES: Those who want serve nation for them Geography provides opportunity to join Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
Jobs in Indian Army:
Short Service Commission
Women's Special Entry SchemeQualification: MA/Msc in Geography Age: 19 years and 27 years (Unmarried)

Army Education Corp
Qualification: MA/Msc in Geography, Male, Age not more than 28 years (Married or Unmarried)

Jobs in Indian Air Force:
Ground Duty Officers for MenShort Service Commission Course for MenShort Service Commission Course for WomenQualification: MA/Msc in Geography Age: Less than 25 years unmarried

Jobs in Indian Navy:
Commissioned Officer in Meteorological Branch through Fast Track Selection Qualification: MA/Msc in Geography Age: less than 25 years (Unmarried)

PLANNING DEPARTMENT:
Geography post graduates can join state and central planning departments for which they are required to complete two years course in Master of Regional Planning. This course is available at following Institutes:
1. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2. Guru Ram Das School of Planning and Architecture, Amritsar
3. School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
4. Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad
5. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
6. University of Mysore
7. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur

ENVIRONMENT
Study of Environment is integral part of Geography and Geographical research. Geographers can do an excellent job in this area. Plenty of jobs are available in various industries and Non Governmental Organizations. To join industry and NGO’s you need to complete a course in Environment and Ecology. Many Correspondence courses are offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University, Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment etc.

TOURISM
A geography background is an asset for careers in travel and tourism.
Jobs available: Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Tourist Guides, Holiday Consultants, Travel Manager, Sales and Exhibition, Hotels, Restaurants, Money Exchange, Beauty Parlors, Body Massaging, Cruise, Ticket Booking, Entertainment, etc

SURVEY
Geographers can specialize in surveying, either by joining the Survey of India or State Survey Departments, National Sample Survey Organisation, Census of India or Private Organizations.

MARKETING
In the age of Globalization and Privatization geographers have great opportunities in Marketing and Marketing Research.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
This is one of the fastest growing technical branches of Geography. This branch of Geography has changed the entire nature and character of the world. GIS is a systematic integration of Computer Hardware, Software and Spatial Data, for capturing, storing, displaying, updating manipulating and analyzing, in order to solve complex management problems. To make career in GIS there is a need to undergo a specialized course in GIS.

Courses available:

PG Diploma in GIS -Jamia Millia Islamia,
MSc Geo Informatics, Applied Geography and MTech in GIS Application-Bharathidasan University
PG in Geography, Geo Information Technology and Envi­ronmental Remote Sensing and PG diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing Applications - Madurai Kamaraj University
PG Diploma course in GIS - Allahabad University

At present about 1500 job are vacant as GIS analyst, CAD GIS Engineer, GIS Engineer, GIS Executive, GIS Programmer, Digital Cartographer, Geological Mapping Expert etc. but qualified candidates are not available.

CARTOGRAPHY
Cartography is an art or technique of making maps, globes, charts, diagrams etc. Maps are the tools of Geography. Geography cannot exist without Cartography. In the last two decades Cartography has undergone a sea change due to technological development. This is another area where geographers can do wonders.
Course available

Aligarh Muslim University-PG diploma in Hydrogeology and diploma in Cartography
University of Madras - PG diploma in Cartography
University of Pune-PG diploma in Cartography

Jamia Millia Islamia-PG diploma in Cartography
Utkal Uni­versity - PG diploma in Cartography
Baroda University -PG diploma in Cartography

REMOTE SENSING
It is the science and art of obtaining information about an object, area, or phenomenon through satellite without coming into physical contact with the object, area, or phenomenon under investigation. Remote sensing makes it possible to obtain information about dangerous or inaccessible areas. India has launched many satellites for obtaining remotely sensed data. India is an international leader in the field on Remote Sensing.

Courses available
Birla Institute of Technology,Mesra, Ranchi, Jharkhand -PG in Geo-Informatics, M.Tech. Remote Sensing and Ph.D. (RS/Geo-Informatics)
Birla Institute of Technology, Kolkata and Jaipur -PG in Geo-Informatics
Indian Institute of RemoteSensing, Dehradun,
M.Tech. Remote Sensing and training Course like certificate, Diploma and PG diploma in Remote Sensing and Geo-Informatics -M.D.S. University, Ajmer,Rajasthan
PG in Remote Sensing/Geo-Informatics - Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University, Hyderabad
M.Tech. Remote Sensing and Ph.D. (RS/ Geo- Informatics)
National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad
Training course in various application of Remote Sensing and Geo-Informatics
Indian Institute of Technology
Training courses and Ph.D in Remote Sensing/Geo-Informatics
A.P. University - M.Tech. Remote Sensing and Ph.D. (RS/ Geo- Informatics

Regional Plan for Canacona 2021

Following are some of the modifications that are needed in the Regional Plan for Goa 2021 with reference to Canacona Taluka.

Base of Canacona Municipal Council (CMC):
The success of any plan primarily depends on the base map. With whatever knowledge that I have, I found that the base map of Canacona Municipal Council is not correct. The areas of Sristhal Panchayat are shown in municipal area which is evident from the Draft Regional Plan for Goa 2021 Canacona Taluka that part of Chapoli Dam is shown in Canacona Municipal Council and part in Sristhal Panchayat. The hills covered by thick vegetation behind new Kadamba Bus Stand and Nagarcem fall under Sristhal Panchayat, they are also shown in Canacona Municipal Council Map. Hence, this rectification should be carried out at the earliest.

Demarcation of Coastal Regulation Act:
It appears from the map that the CRZ-I i.e., 200 and 500 meter line from High Tide Line (HTL) is uniformly shown. Along the coast of Salcete CRZ-I may be uniform because the coast is straight line without any features but in case of Canacona it cannot be, as the coast of Canacona is highly irregular, and characterized by Cliffs, Rocky and Sandy beaches. Along the cliffs and rocky beaches the 500 meters from the HTL will be closer as HTL and Low Tide Line (LTL) will be the same. Hence there is a need to redraw CRZ-I along the coast of Canacona and elswhere.

Canacona taluka is drained by three important rivers namely Saleri, Talpona and Galgibag unfortunately CRZ-I is not demarcated along the rivers.

Declaration Heritage Site:
In the RPG 2021 the coastal stretch from River Talpona to River Galgibag is declared as Heritage Site due to presence of sand dunes and turtle nesting sites. The coastal stretch between Pallolem and Rajbag i.e., Colamb and Patnem is known for some of the rare geological formations (intrusion of dykes in to granites). Hence this area should be included in the existing heritage site.

Proposed Industrial Site:
The proposed Industrial site is located in an eco-sensitive zone. It is sandwiched between River Talpona in the north and River Galgibag in the South. From River Talpona the proposed site starts at a distance of around 100 meters and from River Galgibag it is about 400 meters and bordered by Eco Zone-1. From the coast it is hardly 500 meters and the boundary of CRZ-I merges with the boundary of proposed site. Ecologically such a combination can be devastating. The existing Industrial Estate located at Sristhal is almost dead. Hence instead of proposing new Industrial Estate in an ecologically sensitive area, it will be better if the present Industrial Estate in rejuvenated, revitalized, and re-energized on priority.

Creation of Mini Hub:
Under RPG-2021 three hubs have been created one each at Pernem (North) Usgaon-Darbandora (East) and Quepem (South). But in no way Quepem hub is going to contribute in the development of Canacona due to geographic and physiographic hurdles. Therefore for the balanced development of Canacona taluka, the existing Industrial Estate located at Sristhal should be upgraded and it should be converted in to a MINI HUB. This will boost the development in entire taluka.
Garbage Disposal Site:
Solid waste generation and Solid waste disposal has become a major problem in both urban as well as rural areas because there is a sea change in our lifestyle. It is the responsibility of the municipality to dispose-off municipal garbage generated within its jurisdiction. CMC has made unsuccessful attempts to dump garbage within its jurisdictions. The garbage created by urban areas, under any circumstances should not be dumped in the panchayats. Hence it will be a good idea if RPG-2021 demarcates an idea area for garbage disposal for Canacona and also for other talukas.

Specialized Centers:

In the RPG 2021 nothing has come to Canacona to reduce regional imbalance. Canacona taluka is geographically and culturally diversified. It has beautiful beaches, old temples, Churches, thick forest, a wildlife sanctuary, wetlands, sand dunes, enchanting rivers, marvelous Konakan Railway, Educational Institutes etc. Hence boost the overall development of Canacona taluka, canacona can be developed as Film City, Sports City, or Educational Centre.

Nadaf

Cartography

TYBA Geography

SYBA Ecology

MEANING OF ECOLOGY
Introduction
‘Environmental Biology,’ which is very widely branded, as ‘Ecology’ is a fascinating and one of the fastest and youngest emerging branches of Biology. Since the antiquity, man is involved in finding out the hidden answers of his ecological world. In the olden days he had to know his immediate surroundings as his survival was dependent on this. His priorities then were to detect the actions of the nature, and plants and animals around him. Man has passed many stages since then. Today, ecological knowledge is crucial in taking conservation and preservation measures and in trying to reinstate the planet Earth after the ravages of environmental degradation. At the turn of 20th century, Environment and Ecology have attracted the attention of all the countries of the planet Earth irrespective of being developed or developing, poor or rich due to sensitive link between man – environment, survival and well-being of humankind. The remarkable United Nation’s Convention on “Human Environment” held at Stockholm in 1972 brought to daylight the human impact on environment. Through 1970’s to early 1980’s environmental and ecological disasters were consider as regional concerns. Similarly it is becoming integral component of education in Indian and foreign universities.Meaning of EcologyThe term ‘Ecology’ in its wider sense means scientific investigation of flora, fauna, or population in relation to one another. Ecology is the integrated studies of the complex inter relationships that exist among all different kinds of organisms as well as between themselves and their environment. Moreover, it is the study of all sorts of systems originated out of such inter-relationships between organisms and their surroundings. Therefore Ecology enabled humankind to have novel insight into certain intricacies of the phenomenon of life. Normal biological concepts of life are based on intra individual complexities.Environmental studies prove that no living individual is an ideal or an independent form of life. Instead, the lives of all organisms depend on certain unique interrelationships, interactions and exchanges among the living and non-living. Ecology reveals that the boundary between the living and the non-living is quite thin as the exchanges between both are continuous and intensive (J.G.Ray 1999).Etymology of EcologyA German Zoologist Ernst Haeckel coined the term “Ecology” in 1869 by blending two Greek lexis ‘Oikos’ and ‘Logos’ ‘Oikos’ denotes ‘household, or abode, or dwelling, or place to live, or habitation’ and ‘Logos’ means ‘study or science or discourse’. Thus etymologically or terminologically, Ecology deals with organisms and the place where they reside. Generally, Ecology is regarded as the logical and methodical study of the interactions of organisms with their physical environment and with each other’.Definitions of EcologyThe subject matter of Ecology is very complex and intricate. In the last one hundred years ecologists, environmentalists, naturalists, and thinkers have defined Ecology according to their perspective. As on now there is no single commonly established definition on Ecology. Hence to understand the basic concepts, approaches, and themes of ecology, it is essential to appreciate subsequent vital definitions:Ernst Haeckel, who is regarded as the Father of Ecology, defined Ecology in 1869 as ‘the domestic side of organic life’ and ‘the knowledge of the sum of the relations of organisms to the surrounding outer world to organic and inorganic conditions of existence’.In the opinion of Helena Curtis (1975) Ecology is “the scientific study of the interactions of organisms with their physical environment and with each other”. Frederick Clement the author of the book “Plant Succession: An Analysis of the Development of Vegetation” regarded Ecology as “the science of community” in 1916.J. L. Chapman and M. J. Reiss (1995) defined Ecology as the ‘study of organisms in relation to the surroundings in which they live. These surroundings are called the environment of the organism. This environment is made up of many difficult components, including other living organisms and their effects, and purely physical features such as the climate and soil type’.W. P. Taylor chose to describe Ecology as “the science of the relations of all organisms to all their environments” in his work entitled “Ecology” in 1936.According to Eugene P. Odum (1996) Ecology is ‘concerned especially with the biology of groups of organisms and with functional processes on the lands, in the oceans and in fresh waters’. Charles Elton-the well-known and renowned British ecologist in his innovative work labeled “Animal Ecology” defined Ecology as “the scientific natural history concerned with the sociology and economics of animals.”According to Peter Stiling (2002) ‘Ecology involves the study of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems’.A group consisting of scholars like Allee W. C., Emerson A. E., Park O., Park T., and Schmidt K. P., presented a fundamental definition on Ecology in their pristine work “Principles of Animal Ecology” Ecology as “the science of inter-relation between living organisms and their environment, including both the physical and biotic environments, and emphasizing inter-species as well as intra-species relations”.Krebs (1985) describes Ecology as ‘the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms’.Woodbury (1955) regarded Ecology as the science which investigates organisms in relation to their environment: a philosophy in which the world of life is interpreted in terms of natural processes.”M.E.Clark (1973) considers Ecology as “a study of ecosystems or the totality of the reciprocal interactions between living organisms and their physical surroundings.”The above definitions, though differ in phraseology, focus mostly on the interrelationship of organisms or in other words to the structure and function of nature. Hence you may take your pick as to which definition you favor.

FYBA/BCom Environmental Studies