The Department of Civil Engineering of Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon organized a survey camp cum educational trip to Dehradun from 28th November to 1st December 2015.

On 28th November 2015 the team of eighty seven students from the civil engineering department along with faculty coordinators Mr. Epari Ritesh Patro, Mr. Ravindra Singh Faldakoti and Mr. Amit Kumar started off for Dehradun.

On 29th November 2015 the team travelled to Maldevta for carrying out the survey camp. The site for Plane table surveying and leveling was selected out on the river bank at Maldevta. Students were assisted by faculty to understand the methodology and implementation of plane table survey on field. Plane table is a graphical method of surveying in which the field works and the plotting is done simultaneously. It is particularly adopting in small mapping. Plane table surveying is used for locating the field computation of area of field. It is also known as the graphical method of Surveying. A manuscript map is made in the field and the topographic details are filled in later stage.

Students were divided into groups to accomplish their tasks. They plotted the area of site selected for survey through radiation method on drawing sheet at the field and also studied the intersection method. Intersection method is useful where it is not possible to measure the distances on ground as in case of a mountainous area. Hence, this method is employed for locating inaccessible points, the broken boundaries, rivers, fixing survey stations, etc. They also took the level reading at different edge points of the site and calculated the area of site which was done by plane table surveying.

On 30th November 2015 students visited Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. This institute carries out research towards the development of new concepts and models for the geodynamic evolution of the Himalaya through an interdisciplinary approach. The areas that are under study here are building process in the mountains, seismotectonics, and topics related to natural resources. It also serves as the National Reference Center for the database on the geology of Himalaya.

The students then visited S.P. Nautiyal museum, housed in the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. It provided details about the environmental aspects of the Himalayas and the number and magnitude of earthquakes occurred in that region. Different types of rocks were showcased in the museum. The scientists of the institute also lectured the students on their research works.

The students then went to Geodetic and Research Branch, Survey of India. This organization Maintains Geodetic Control Network (Planimetric and Height ) as National frame work with Geodetic accuracy for the entire country (mainland as well as island) using latest technology which is used by various agencies for surveying and mapping work. The students came to know about the provisions of geophysical data such as Gravity and magnetic data used by various agencies for mines & mineral exploration, scientific studies about earth and earth related natural phenomena and precursor of earthquake.

In the evening the team went to a local tourist spot Robber’s cave , locally known as Guchhupani. It is a river cave formation located approximately 8 km from the center of Dehradun City. It is a natural cave formation where river flows inside the cave. The students spent good time there and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.

On 1st December 2015 the team travelled back to Delhi and students were dropped at the respective bus stops.

The survey camp was an educational tour combined with sight-seeing and adventure. This trip provided exposure to the students through field work experience and helped them in their professional development.