Bal Urja Rakshak Dal on cards

Children to lead Gujarat Energy Development Agency's power conservation drive

Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has lined up a unique energy saving movement with children at the fore.

The agency, founded by the Government of Gujarat for development and promotion of renewable energy technologies, will form the 'Bal Urja Rakshak Dal' for optional, efficient and ethical use of energy.

In 2003, GEDA organised an event with the support of 150 schools across the state. Around 10,000 students participated in the event.

"GEDA has organised several programmes related to energy conservation. But the state government wanted to come out with a plan which can bring changes at the grass roots level. The 'Dal' is an outcome of that idea and its members will be promoted as the guards for the cause," said Nandini Gandhi, manager, mass communication, GEDA.

Gujarat Electricity Board and Ahmedabad Electricity Corporation will provide the financial support to the movement.

The programme will start at the very basic level, like the energy audit at participating children's homes and identification of power consumption pattern, which will be promoted to higher levels by auditing energy consumption pattern in neighborhoods, public places and government offices.

The participants will also run an awareness campaign against power theft. The participating schools will celebrate December 14 as a National Energy Conservation Day.

The aim of the movement is to involve about 25, 000 children from 1000 schools, each having 20 dedicated 'Urja Rakshaks '(Power Guards) with an assigned mission of energy saving.

The Local Community Science Center and about 15 other non-profit organizations working in the field of environment and energy would co-ordinate the project activities in schools.

GEDA is conducting a four-day workshop for the participating members. Many of the organizations have already started registration of schools. The best among the participating schools and students would be honuored with various awards.