Mangaluru: Science Express, a unique science exhibition mounted on a AC train, which has come to be the largest, the longest and the most visited mobile science exhibition in India came to Mangaluru junction on Friday, March 25 with models on science and technology, especially pertaining to climate and environment.
The train which has created six Limca Book of Records in its journey so far, has 13 air-conditioned bogies and will be open for all from 10 am to 5 pm till March 28.
The train was flagged off on October 30, 2007 by the then Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel.
Over the last seven years, the exhibition train has covered over 1,22,000 km across the country, receiving more than 1.33 crore visitors at its 391 halts, in 1404 days.
Coach-wise detail
The broad theme covered in each exhibition coach are as follows
Coach 1- Understanding Climate Change – Insights in the climate as a system, the greenhouse gas effect and the underlying reasons for climate change with key message that the current change in the climate is due to human activities.
Coach 2: Impact of Climate Change – How temperature rise, monsoon variations, sea level rise are predicted to affect vital sectors like water, agriculture, forests and biodiversity, and human health and ways to reduce these.
Coach 3 and 4: Adaptation – Concepts of adaptation and examples from day to day life, adaptation strategies and stories from field. Adaptation options in urban and rural contexts and the adaptation actions India is taking.
Coach 5 and 6: Mitigation – Concept and definition with examples, emphasis on restoring balance, enhancing sinks and reducing emission through Renewable Energy (RE) technologies. Various programmes implemented by India and low carbon strategies and ambitious goal to increase renewable energy footprint.
Coach 7: International Negotiations on Climate Change – Introduction to UNFCCC, IPCC and internationally agreed action and targets. Explaining concept of equity and common but differential responsibility, Kyoto protocol and other key outcomes of major COP, etc.
Coach 8: Handprint – What can one do at school, on roads, at home and in offices and focus on concept of lifestyle choices with the key message ‘Increase your Handprint. Decrease your Footprint’.
Coach 9 and 10: Exhibition put up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt of India, covering themes like Biotechnology for bio-resources and nature conservation with emphasis on Tiger Conservation and Chemical Ecology and India’s research and development initiatives in field of Biotechnology.
Journey of Science Express
From 2007 to 2011 the train traveled as ‘Science Express’ displaying the world of micro and macro cosmos, spreading the awareness about strengths of science in meeting global challenges, including latest discoveries and innovations in the field of modern science. After four successful phases, Science Express was redesigned on the theme Biodiversity and from 2012-2014, it traveled as Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS).
After 7 successful tours across India, ‘’Science Express’’ has been redesigned on the theme ‘Climate Change’ and from October 15, 2015, it is running as ‘Science Express – Climate Action Special (SECAS)’.
It is a unique collaborative initiative of department of science and technology, ministry of environment, forest and climate change, and Ministry of railway, Government of India, aiming to create awareness among various sections of society, especially students, as to how Climate Change can be combated through mitigation and adaptation.
The SECAS will travel across the country for about 7 months, halting at 64 locations in 20 States, covering about 19,800 km. The exhibition will convey a strong message about Climate Change and will also be a good opportunity to generate dialogue and discussion.
