AGARTALA, April 13 (TIWN): 40 educators in different coaches of the Express have arrived to spread awareness among people about climate via Science Express. Total 16 coaches are inside the train which has arrived at Agaratla and to remain here for 2 days. Minister Bijita Nath had welcomed the train in the presence of school children.

The broad themes 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&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 & 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 RE footprint.

·         Coach 7: International Negotiations on Climate Change-Introduction to UNFCCC, IPCC and internationally agreed action &targets. Explaining concept of equity and common but differential responsibility, Kyoto protocol & 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&10: Exhibition put up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government 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.

·         Coach 11: Exhibition put up by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) showcasing select innovations, demonstrating the ingenuity of common people and an innovative project which uses augmented reality techniques. Exhibition on themes like Innovations in S&T, Science Education, DST Scholarships & Schemes, Careers in S&T, etc.

·         Coach 12: A Kids Zone is set up for children from Std. 4 and below to participate in fun-filled activities, games and puzzles in science, mathematics and environment.

·         Coach 13: The Joy of Science (JOS) Hands-on Lab in this coach is a space where students from Std. 5-10 can perform experiments and activities to understand concepts in environment, science and mathematics in an interesting manner. A training facility is also set up for orientation of teachers here.

·         For the first time, solar panels have been installed on the roof top of coaches 11-13, which is a collaborative effort of DST and Central Electronics Limited (CEL).

 The rest of the train will have exhibitions on various themes like wildlife and nature conservation work being carried out by different research institutions across India, India’s development in the field of biotechnology, innovations in science and technology, DST scholarships and schemes and careers in science and technology.