(a) whether the Government is considering to increase awareness among youths and
masses on the varied flora and fauna of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has launched Bio-diversity express to cover areas to
create the awareness;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND` FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a)&(b): The Ministry of Environment & Forests carries out environmental awareness among youth
and masses of the country on a range of environmental issues including biodiversity conservation
through flagship programmes of National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) and National Green
Corps (NGC). NEAC engages thousands of participating organizations through Regional Resources
Agencies (RRAs) across the country to create awareness amongst stakeholders. NGC programme is
a network of about 1,00,000 schools of the country to inculcate environmental awareness and
sustainable practices amongst school children.
(c) to (e): Yes, Sir. The Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train is an innovative
mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed 16-coach air-conditioned train for creating
awareness about biodiversity and other environmental issues in the country. The second phase of
SEBS was flagged off on 9th April 2013 from New Delhi. It will travel to different States
covering 62 stations by the end of October 2013. The state-of-the-art exhibition aboard SEBS
aims to create widespread awareness on the unique biodiversity of India. Eight coaches of SEBS
are dedicated to biodiversity, and the remaining coaches are on climate change, water, energy
conservation, sustainable development, kids zone and joy of Science Lab. The first phase of SEBS
was launched on World Environment Day on 5th June 2012, as the brand ambassador of the eleventh
Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity hosted by India in Hyderabad in
October 2012. The SEBS in its first phase covered 51 locations and received over 23 lakh
visitors upto 22nd December 2012, including six lakh students and 32,000 teachers from 7,000
schools who enjoyed learning in a fun way. An exclusive website www.sciencexpress.in provides
details and up-to-date information on the SEBS. This flagship venture is a collaborative
initiative between Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Indian Railways and Department
of Science & Technology (DST).