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With a view to create awareness amongst masses in general and youth in particular about the exceptional biodiversity of India , the Union Minister of Railways, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister of Environment & Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan and Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi flagged off  “Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS)Train from Safdarjung Railway Station here today. Shri Vinay Mittal Chairman Railway Board , Shri T.Ramasami Secretary Deptt. of Science & Technology , Shri K.Judesekar DG Forest and senior officers from the participating Ministries were also present on the occasion.

It has been a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) &  Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, the Indian Railways, the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre, and the Centre for Environment Education. It has also engaged a large number of knowledge partners, State Biodiversity Boards, State Education Agencies, State Nodal Agencies on NGC and NEAC, Government officials, Peoples’ Representatives, colleges and academia, civil society organizations and the media. Participation of school children and teachers has stood out.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that this train is a magnificent example of synergy of efforts among Ministries of Railways, Science & Technology and Environment & Forests.
She expressed her gratitude to the knowledge partners for creating unique ways of communicating massages. She also announced the commitment of her Ministry for running this train in 2014 also. She said that this will coincide with the final year of India’s Presidency of the CoP and perform an important function of bringing biodiversity knowledge to the doorsteps of millions of our countrymen . We look forward to SEBS contributing significantly in our commitment to “Prakriti Rakshati Rakshtam”, Nature protects if she is protected, She added.

While addressing the gathering, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal said that this train has been quite popular in its earlier editions. It has attracted both youngsters and elders in great measures. Shri  Bansal said that India is proud to have a vast variety of Bio-diversity and there is need to preserve our Bio-diversity and protect our environment. The Railway Minister said that Indian railway is gradually introducing bio-toilets is panels coaches. He said that we are also focusing on cleanliness and called upon people to help railways in maintaining cleanliness in stations,  in trains and around tracks. He said that this train is a product of combined efforts of Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Railways and  Railways will continue to provide support in such in endeavors.

In her address , Smt Sheila Dikshit said that this train not only give people an ideas of biodiversity of India but also  bring India together. She said that Delhi Government has started awareness campaign highlighting the importance of flora & fauna. We have also declared “sparrow” as Delhi bird, she added.

Under the second phase of programme, the SEBS will cover 62 stations over next 6 months. Of the 16 coaches of Science Express- Biodiversity Special, 8 are solely dedicated to showcasing the myriad biodiversity spread across all the bio-geographical zones of India through a variety of interactive exhibits, short films & videos that are shown on Plasma & LED TV screens, large format displays, kiosks, backlit panels, and so on. The rest of coaches have interesting & informative exhibits on Climate Change, Energy and Water conservation and topical issues in science. The popular Joy of Science Lab is mounted in an exclusive coach in which students are guided to perform various experiments & activities to understand concepts of various themes projected in the train. In addition, on the railway platform where the train is halted, young visitors are encouraged to play several exciting games as well as participate in quizzes, painting competitions, elocutions, just-a-minute, etc. The window panes of the entire train have also been judiciously used to put up posters on the numerous species of flora & fauna found in India which keep the visitors engaged while waiting for their turn.

In its first leg of Journey, the train will leave for Pragati Maidan Railway Station where it will be stationed during 10-13 April. It will be open to visitors from 1000hrs till 1700hrs and entry is free. Schools can fix appointments to visit the exhibition and also participate in Joy-of-Science lab by calling 09428405407/8 or by sending an e-mail to sciencexpress@gmail.com. A team of 40 young well trained and highly motivated post graduates in science, who remain on-board throughout the entire journey, will facilitate the visitors and explain the content of the exhibits and also answer their queries. Thereafter the train will halt at 60 more locations across India before returning to its base station- Gandhinagar Capital- on 28 October 2013.

About SEBS :-
         
            The Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS), a mobile biodiversity exhibition train is a Mission to create massive awareness on India’s rich biodiversity. SEBS was showcased as India’s brand ambassador during recently concluded CBD Conference of Parties (CoP). The “Science Express: Biodiversity Special”- is a unique, state-of-the-art exhibition train that brings biodiversity awareness to a cross section of people, particularly children and youths, as it travels across the country. Rich bio-cultural diversity of the country in different coaches is organized, bio-geographic zone wise, and includes wild, domesticated, marine, microbial life forms, biodiversity and livelihoods, impact of climate change, and highlights the challenges for the conservation. It also shares the policies, law and program/initiatives of partners, aimed at conservation of countries rich bio-cultural heritage. The train which previously carried science exhibition has been redesigned into a state of the art biodiversity exhibition, using the expertise of a number of partner institutes of the country.

            During its first phase, which ended on 22 December 2012 at Ahmedabad, it made halts of 3-4 days duration each at 51 locations and over 23 lakh people, including 6 lakh students and 32000 teachers from 7000 schools enjoyed learning in a fun filled way. The train was also stationed at Secunderabad during 9-19 October 2012 to facilitate visit of delegates to Conference of Parties (CoP-11). India hosted the CoP II meeting at Hyderabad attended by participants from more than 190 countries across the world.  SEBS was the brand ambassador to showcase the rich bio diversity of India.