INVC,
Delhi,
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.
