An education package comprising of 12 stories (in Gujarati) interweaving energy and environment issues and concepts has been published for rural/tribal children. The package was titled, Ek Jhaadni Kimant Ketali? (What is the value of a tree?)

The basic objective of the package was to help children appreciate the substantial value of trees in ecological, agro-story fore and energy terms and not to equate their worth only in the conventionally quantifiable values of timber, fruits etc.

The package draws on local folklore, fables nature myths and rituals to bring in the affective dimension to science education and create focus point- trees, which tribal children can relate to. It was developed over a period of two years in four tribal belts of Gujarat, Chhota Udaipur, Khedbramha, Vasada and Dangs. 50 Local Teachers and Non-formal Education Extension Workers were actively involved in the exercise to design stories that were local, lucid, entertaining and educative. 500 children in Tribal schools were involved in this pilot development.

This package comprising of 12 modules of interwoven " Science Folk Tales " explained the central role trees play in sustaining the balance of our energy and environment eco-systems. The major concepts covered in the package include: the Causes and Effects of Deforestation, the Rain Water Cycle, Photosynthesis, Food Chains, Efficient Use of Fuel wood, Conservation of Energy, Renewable Energy Devices, Forestry, Energy Plantations and Improved Cook stoves. The Package was complemented with an Energy Reader for neo-literates.

The story format was successful in breaking tribal children's resistance to science and technology education and bridging socio-cultural barriers that inhibited learning. This package has been very well received. About 10,000 copies have been disseminated in Tribal and Rural schools.

The project was selected as an Energy Education Success Story and presented at the Global Assembly of Women and the Environment, "Partners in Life, November, 1991 at Miami, USA