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AHMEDABAD: The train that caught the scientific imagination of people across the length of the breadth of the nation with first-of-its-kind mobile exhibit and education centre on wheels is set to cross another milestone this year. As the world is celebrating 2011-2020 as UN Decade on Biodiversity with focus on conservation and nurturing of biodiversity, the Science Express has been converted into a biodiversity special in its phase V and it will start on June 5, the World Environment Day, from New Delhi.For Amdavadis, it will be a proud moment as the entire express chugs on the expertise of two city-based organizations - Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) and the Centre for Environment Education (CEE). The express is currently being given final touches by volunteers at Gandhinagar railway station.Dilip Surkar, executive director, VASCSC, said that it is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Environment and Forests of Government of India, along with reputed institutes from all over the country working in the field of biodiversity and wildlife."We have very fond memories of Science Express that saw more than 65 lakh visitors starting from 2007. We wanted to do something new and planning started a year back when the 11{+t}{+h} meeting of Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be held from October 8 to 19 in Hyderabad came to our mind. We decided to plan the train's journey with the convention in mind so that the delegates from all over the world can visit it and see the wide array of biodiversity of the country and conservation measures. Thus, the theme was devised as biodiversity and climate change," he said.

A team of more than 200 volunteers worked day and night right from the moment the concept was approved. The first challenge was to change the look of the train. "The 16-coach train is identified by its distinct design and thus we have completely changed the interiors and exteriors to give it a new feel. Earlier, we had various sections such as biology, chemistry and physics. Now visitors will be able to see vast array of flora and fauna the country boasts of," said a VASCSC official.

The train will have a staff of around 50 volunteers who have been handpicked by the organization to accompany the exhibits. "The volunteers will not only impart education to visitors but see the nation in a new light. When the train was stationed in West Bengal and a group of volunteers went to the town and enquired what was there to be seen, the locals told them that there was a train at the station which should not be missed. Such experiences keep our journey going," said Surkar.

Hands-on science for students, enthusiasts

The fully air-conditioned train will start on June 5 and end the phase V of the project on December 22 in Gujarat. It will cover 52 locations, 18,000 km and is expected to get more than 30 lakh visitors. It has 13 exhibition coaches and three for staff members.

At every station, the train will stop for three to four days. During the COP meeting, the train will station at Secunderabad for 11 days. Delegates from 190 countries are expected to visit it.

Of the 13 exhibition coaches, 8 will showcase biodiversity highlighting flora and fauna found in different bio-geographic regions of India and various facets of marine, coastal, forest, microbial, agro diversity and its significance. It will also highlight its link with livelihood and challenges for conservation.

Three coaches have exhibits on climate change, energy and water conservation.

One coach has been dedicated to the original Science Express as some of the most revered exhibits and interactive activities will be retained there.

A hands-on lab, known as Joy of Science, takes one coach where students can perform various experiments and activities to understand the concepts shown in the exhibits. Students can also win prizes by participating in interactive events and quizzes. Railway stations will also be used to conduct some of the awareness activities.

One coach will have conference room-cum-learning centre facility where science teachers can be trained for capacity building.