The first coach of the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) displays the richness of India's variety pertaining to grains, herbs and produce. There are about 50,000 varieties of rice, 1000 varieties of mangoes and 500 pepper varieties. A collage of charts and photographs describe the numerous species, breeds and varieties pertaining to our flora and fauna.
Moving on to the next coach, visitors get some exposure to the biodiversity in the Himalayas. The exhibit on the snow leopard was especially crowded with children fascinated with this creature equipped to survive in extremely cold regions. Other animals of the region include double humped camels and Tibetan woolly hares. Unfortunately, many of these species face threat of extinction due to man-made reasons.
The Gangetic Plain hosts a variety of plants and trees, fruits, vegetable and grains. Medicinal plants including the Arjuna herb and Ashwagandha have thrived in the region for more than 1000 years. Student visitors are most fascinated by the Shorea Robusta tree which grows up to 40 meters and was once used by the British to make sleepers in trains.
There is a coach displaying the diversity in the North East. There is an exhibit on the Majuli in Assam, the largest river island in Bhramaputra. Anjane Dey, a 'science communicator' says there are many such islands in the North East. "There are so many things I have learned today. I was fascinated by the dessert foxes," said H Anamaik, a class 12 student.
Raghav Pandya the manager of the Science Express says that the response has been overwhelming. "Students from around 45 schools came on the first day itself," he said. They have added 2 extra coaches demonstrating how science and maths can be made easy. The exhibition is open to all from 10am to 5pm till this Friday, August 23.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/mudcgvc
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