NEW DELHI, June 5:
A ‘Bio-diversity Special’ train show-casing the biodiversity of the country through different lens was flagged off here today with Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanti Natarajan underlining that biodiversity could be protected for future use through informed and responsible decision making and by sustainable use by the communities.
“ This requires understanding the value of the ecosystems to the benefit of the communities. Being aware of the biodiversity is the key to protecting the fragile ecosystem and threatened species,” Ms Natarajan said at the function to mark the World Environment Day.
The train flagged off by Ms Natarajan along with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit has exhibits on bio-culture heritage, biodiversity-livelihoods linkages, and the also domestic biodiversity.
The train also has four other coaches dedicated to climate change, biodiversity & water and energy conservation, supported by other agencies, like HSBC, PCRA and the Swiss Embassy & Nestle. One coach is dedicated to the Joy of Science Lab which throws open the door of scientific experimentation to students specially school children.(UNI)
The Ministry chose the Science Express train as a medium to reach out to the far flung areas through its extensive networks that would enable reaching out to the masses and create widespread awareness on the rich biodiversity of the country and the issues associated thereof.
The Science Express- Biodiversity Special will be traversing across the country over two years, halting at more than 100 plus stations. Between June 5 and December 22, the train will travel almost 18,000 km, halting for 3-4 days at each of the 52 locations.
“It is expected that the train will be visited by a wide range of people, especially school & college students, directly engaging more than 15 lakh visitors and engaging over 50 lakhs people indirectly. Platform and outreach activities are being planned at each halt and will actively engage Ministry’s National Environment Awareness Programme (NEAC) and National Green Corps (NGC).
(UNI)
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