Title - : Getting biodiversity back on track

The exhibition-train - “Science Express - Biodiversity Special” has arrived at the city Railway Station, here on Monday.

Additional Divisional Railway Manager C. Madhusudhana Rao went round the coaches after inaugurating the train.

The ‘Science Express - Biodiversity Special’ is an innovative and unique mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed 16-coach AC train (13 exhibition coaches and two power cars), which is travelling across India (5th phase) from June 5 to December 22.

The specially designed exhibition coaches have illuminated charts, models of various plant and animal species.

Children love to press the buttons which provides answers to their queries on various aspects of plant and animal life. Each coach has volunteers, students and science researches who will take the visitors on an interactive journey of scientific education.

The exhibition also showcases various aspects of climate change, water, energy conservation, environment and legacy of the Science Express.

The train also houses the popular Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) ‘Joy of Science’ hands-on lab as well as a teachers’ training facility.

The exhibition aims to showcase a wide array of biodiversity in the country and the conservation measures being adopted.

The current decade (2011-2020) has been declared as the United Nations ‘Decade on Biodiversity’ and “United Nations’ Decade for Deserts and Fight against Desertification”.

The exhibition aboard the train, therefore, is based on the theme ‘Biodiversity’.

The ‘Science Express - Biodiversity Special’ is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF).

The exhibition, for which the entry is through the Gnanapuram-side of the railway station, is open to all and entry is free. It will remain open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The exhibition train will remain in the city for four days, i.e., till August 2.