Themes

Themes for the mobile resource centre (Environment Education Bus) are broadly categorized so as to cover all relevant environmental issues in the Gujarat state with an emphasis on three districts - Surat, Bharuch and Ahmedabad.

These themes include:

1. Heritage
The basic information about the Gujarat state and the focused districts of the state is provided under this theme. The information such as history, prides of state and districts, statistical information of the state and respective district and environmental concerns that needs to be attended are highlighted under this theme.

2. Biodiversity

 Introduction
It provides information on ecosystem of in Gujarat, key species, national parks and sanctuaries, prides of Gujarat.
Some of the key information provided is:

a. Gujarat has four national parks (out of 80 in India) and has 22 wildlife sanctuaries. Asiatic Lion and Wild ass are found only in Gujarat.
b. Out of 46286 number of recorded plant species and 89451 number of recorded animal species in India, 4320 number of recorded plant species and 3054 number of recorded animal species are found in Gujarat.
c. More than one million Flamingos are estimated to breed in the Great Rann of Kachchh every year.
It also discusses the concepts such as food chain and food pyramid.

Concerns and Efforts
This highlights the concerns related to the Biodiversity and efforts or best practices that can be used to minimize the threats to the biodiversity.
Some of the concerns: a. Setting up of salt pans in the area that support vegetation on which wild ass and Black buck thrives.
b. Development of reads and highways through the sanctuaries.
c. Shrinkage of wet lands due to urbanization, industrialization and other human activities which affected bird population.
Some of the efforts towards its minimization include:
a. Joint Forest Management programmes
b. Education and awareness about the environment
c. Eco- development programmes

Interactive Elements
a. Identify the bird calls by pressing the buttons
b. Identify the animals through their foot tracks.
c. State true or false questionnaires.

3. Land

Introduction
The information on type of soils, various crops grown, contribution to the Gujarat's economy in terms of agriculture and dairy is discussed in the panel related to land. It also provides information on land utilization.
Some of the key points are:
a. Bajar, Jowar, Maize, Rice, Wheat, Chilli, Cotton, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Pulses are some of the major crops of the State.
b. Gujarat is the largest producer of castor, tobacco, isabgul and the second largest producer of cotton and groundnut in the country.
c. Gujarat has total number of 199.39 lakh livestock.

 Concerns and Efforts
Land degradation, land pollution, congestion, disasters are some of the key concerns of the land which are highlighted in this section. Some of the efforts that can be taken to reduce the intensity are integrated land management, organic farming, development of parks and gardens and construction of earthquake resistant houses.

Interactive Elements
The interactive elements in this panel helps to distinguish between organic and inorganic waste and also how much time is required for theses wastes to decompose.
It also helps to identify water requirement of major crops of the state.

4. Water

Introduction
The information provided highlights major rivers, sector wise water use, irrigation type and coverage of the state.
Some of the key information discuses in the panel are:
a. Narmada, Mahi, Sabarmati, Tapi and Bhadar are the major rivers in Gujarat inclusive of other total 185 rivers found in the state.
b. Gujarat has only 2% of India's water sources whereas in terms of population it is 4.88%.
It also discuses the concept of water cycle which helps to understand the important components which plays a role for the water on the earth.

Concerns and Efforts
The key concerns related to the water are depletion of water table, water pollution, water borne disease due to improper storage and handling of water.
These concerns can be minimized through some of the efforts such as adoption of efficient irrigation practices, education about the hygiene, harvesting rain.

Interactive Elements
a. It focuses on various water conservation practices such as repairing a dripping tap, flood irrigation, washing the vehicles with bucket filled with water and not by using the running water.
b. It helps students to calculate how much water is wasted through the dripping tap. To make the calculations easier, relevant information is provided.
c. It also asks students what they will do conserve water in some of the situations such as if a tap is dripping, water in the glass is contaminated and improper irrigation practices.

5. Energy

Introduction
Information such as how electricity reaches to a house, thermal and nuclear power plants in the state, electricity consumption, energy uses and domestic fuel is provided in this section.
Some of the focuses information of the section includes:
a. Gujarat's 42% electricity generated is from thermal power plant
b. Gujarat has the second hugest ports in the country which includes 1 major, 11 intermediate and 29 minor ports.
c. Fire wood is the domestic fuel of the state.

 Concerns and Efforts
Inefficient public transport in terms of fuel and coverage, inefficient energy use for irrigation, use of inefficient cooking fuel mainly fire wood are the concerns related to the energy which are emphasized under the section. The efforts towards its conservation includes improved Chulha for cooking, promoting use of bicycle as an eco friendly means of transport, use of solar energy, wind energy and biogas.

Interactive Elements
It helps to understand renewable sources of energy and their use, also helps to carry out the energy audit.

6. Air Pollution
This provides information in various pollutants present in the air, their affects on human body and their sources of emission.
Foe example, Sulphur Dioxide is emitted from vehicles, industries and coal which affects respiratory tract of human being causing breathing trouble.

7. Industries and Natural Gas
Information on major types of industries, different industrial estates, their classification, contribution of Gujarat's industries to our economy is emphasized in this section. Also, how the natural gas is good to use is explained in the section.
Some of the key points highlighted are:
a. Chemical, textile, diamond are major type of industries in Gujarat.
b. The state has 15% of the industries in the country.
c. Asia's first and India's largest multi product Special Economic Zone is at Kandla.
d. Gujarat produces maximum marine fish (6.7 m. t. / year) with a share of 24% of the country.