UN appoints Gujarat Council of Science City to promote International Year of Biodiversity

The Gujarat Council of Science City has been named as one of the organisations that will promote 2010 as the ‘International Year of Biodiversity’, an event launched by the United Nations.

The council, which successfully hosted the 17th National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) in Ahmedabad, will popularise the event with affiliates of the world body such as UNESCO and UNDP.

“The United Nations has declared 2010 as year of biodiversity. It’s a celebration of life and biodiversity on earth,” Principal Secretary Ravi Saxena said. 

“The Gujarat Science City is emerging as a key platform for popularising science.” The congress, which concluded on Thursday, was organised at SGVP International School and Science City.

Interestingly, the participation of girl students in this event was more than boys. More than 550 science projects and innovations were presented by students. Of these, 289 were presented by girl students.

“Students from across the country participated in the 17th science congress. A total of 560 projects were evaluated. Of these, 25 have been selected,” Jaideep Barua, the chairman of academic council, said. “Participation of children from every Indian state shows that NSC has succeeded in popularising science.”