Programme Outreach
Since its inception in June 2004, the BURD circuit of change has grown to bring together school children, teachers, grandparents, mothers, farmers, your local chaiwala or the vegetable vendor, engineers, local action groups, mandals, bhajan mandalis, city youth, tribal and rural citizens. They have all joined hands to wage the war against energy waste!
The State Urja Rakshak Dal force today comprises almost 45,000 Urja Rakshaks (students from class 7-11; 25 students from each school), 3600 Urja Aagevans (School Teachers).
An attempt has been made to ensure equitable distribution of the 1800 schools participating in the program across all the 25 districts of the state with an inclusive urban, rural and tribal school participation plan.
GEDA has enrolled 1800 Primary and 1800 Secondary Schools since 2006 onwards who will implement the programme at school level.
BURD Team Members have been given Insignia-Identity Kit such as a BURD cap, badge, identity card and colour Bands (Link to School Photo Gallery)
The BURD information kit includes several informative booklets on energy, electricity, renewable energy, energy conservation and energy education through play-way methods, interactive multimedia CD.
You can also check our publications here.
Extended Outreach
In 2005-06 addition to the schools enrolled in the Urja Rakshak Dal programme, 3750 schools enrolled in the National Green Corps (NGC) (MOEF, GOI, 2001) programme, (initiated by the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India) have committed to the Rakshak Action-8  Plan. Almost 1,75, 000 students of the Eco-clubs formulated as part of the NGC program will work as Urja Doots, energy messengers, and reach out to their homes, schools and immediate community to create an Energy-wise Gujarat. The teachers’ in-charge of the school Eco-club activities will be provided necessary sensitization through the Eco-Club network of master trainers. They would also be provided a set of the information package.