Brief of the Bal Urja Rakshak Dal (BURD) Programme (2004-09)
GEDA is implementing a state-wide School Energy Education Programme BURD (Bal Urja Rakshak Dal) ‘teams of child energy guards’. The programme targeted at Secondary Schools, initiated at the behest of Sh Narendra Modi, Hon’ble CM, Gujarat in 2004-05. The objective is to mobilize children as Urja Rakshaks, energy guardians, who will take on - the challenge to motivate responsible, rational, and restrained use of energy in their homes, schools and community by encouraging right and honest energy choices. The programme focuses on inculcating energy skills as life skills through various participatory activities. GEDA annually motivates a force of 50,000 School Children from 1800 Primary and 1800 Secondary Schools since 2005-6 - till today.
At a conservative estimate, if one person annually saves 1 kWh annually, 50,000 families’ of a minimum size of 5 persons will save 5 units annually which could cumulate to savings of 250,000 kWh annually. This could translate to savings of INR 11, 25,000.
Rakshak Action-8 Plan:
Our strategy to accomplish our mission involvesa Rakshak Action-8 Plan that strives to bring about positive energy changes in Rakshak Dal schools, homes and the neighbourhood community. The plan involves various interventions and awareness programmes that target mission Energy-wise Gujarat on various fronts. The plan involves:
- Energy Wise home
- Energy Wise school
- Energy Wise community
- Honesty is Power Campaign
- Voluntary Energy Services
- Competitions
- Celebrating Urja Din
- Urja Utsav
In 2006-07, have reached 3, 18, 273 School Students have participated in 7 competitions 20, 72,100 people reached during 2006-07 40, 00,000 people reached in past 3 years 40, 00,000 units saved at a conservative estimate of 1 kWh/day/yr INR 180,00,000 saved at INR 4.50 per kWh.
In 2008-09 School Students (Urja Rakshaks) conducted Energy Audit in 9000 homes and 1800 Schools across the state and achieved 38-74% results in terms of achieving the targets.
In 2009-10, effective use of project-based learning engaged the BURDies( Urja Rakshaks) in Sustainable Built Forms and Best from Waste Projects work which helped in understanding the basic concepts of energy conservation in buildings and productive use of waste. The project work was carried out by the students through their teachers to generate awareness on traditional construction practices that are the best examples of energy and water conservation practices. The intention is to bring forth this knowledge to the students who already have understood the importance of energy conservation through the energy studies projects in their homes and schools. Students from as many as 1800 schools in the state submitted collages with photograph depicting their learning process -- some sketches viz. the tranquility of the Vav. The structure they selected for their project work included intricately carved walls as backdrops. They also made miniature models of clay and cardboard. Posters made by them covered messages like "Each drop of water is precious", to adorn the calendar. Even poetry, penned by young minds are juxtaposed among the photographs, each unit of energy saved is generating 2.5 units of electricity and many more slogans.