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Museum Of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is a brainchild of former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi as she suggested this concept, on the eve of 25th Independance day celebrations. She felt the need to preserve Indias' natural and mineral wealth so that the present and future generations have a chance to learn about it. It was opened for public entry on the world environment day in the year 1978. Subsequently, similar museums were established in other parts of India.

The museum also provides various educational programmes for children through the out-reach events. These educational programmes are aimed at providing a platform to become aware of the nature and urban pollution issues. These involve all children, including children with different abilities. Other activities like film shows and publications are also used to educate the masses about environment.

Features of National Museum

The museum of natural history is controlled by ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. Of India and provides an excellent educational source for children. This museum is split into galleries on different floors which exhibit a variety of natural exhibits throwing light on the nations' natural heritage. On one of the floors there is an area for children to handle and experience nature through fun activities. The fourth floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, which are regularly carried out by the Museum authorities and are generally theme based. As was the vision of Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the collection, activities and events are aimed at creating environment awareness and educating the masses about the ecosystems.

On Exhibit

History of nature is introduced in the gallery 1 through its exhibits. It showcases a varied collection of flora as well as fauna so as to bring out the origin of life. It attempts at explaining the evolution through the section showing sequences and proofs from ancient times until the present day. Another part of this gallery educates children and adults on the habitats of plants and animals. In addition to this, various processes like pollination in flora, insects and their uses, adaptations of animals to water, land and air are shown through the exhibits. It serves as an extension to the classroom teaching of these subjects in a useful and practical way.

Gallery 2 provides an analysis of the prominent ecosystems which have been and are, a part of this world and this section is called as the "Nature's Network: Ecology. It has exhibits explaining the food chains and webs along with the information related to the interrelationship within various plants, animals and human beings. Important issues like decomposition and bio-geochemical cycles are taken up through the show. Last but not the least, this section throws light on the present day problems and the answers, as to why it is so important to conserve nature. It tries to trigger a thought process as to how the facts like extinction of wild species and disappearance of jungles is affecting us.

Gallery 3 deals with the conservation subject and handles the various aspects of preservation of nature. Through the exhibits in this section a presentation of the mindless exploitation of nature by mankind is pointed out explicitly and consequence of deforestation is stressed through contrasting exhibits.  Other exhibits show various effects like deficit soil because of erosion, which are responsible for formation of useless lands and are pushing towards danger for life on this planet. This section also has showcases stressing the need for population control stating environment and life extinction dangers. A part of this section tries to turn the attention of the visitors to the various past and present conservation projects like the significant exhibits related to Chipko andolan and Bishnois community.

Other than these galleries, facilities like discovery and activity rooms are created for children of various ages. Activities are planned according to the needs of children’s studies and are aimed at making them educative plus fun. There is also a facility to handle some specimens and explore creativity through activities like painting and modelling. It works to kindle the scientific curiosity in children while educating them.

As mentioned earlier the fourth floor is dedicated to theme-based temporary exhibitions which are unique. Efforts are made to take these exhibitions internationally, to take the nature and environment issue ahead.  

Information for Visitors

  • Timings: 10 am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday and closed on National Holidays
  • Ticket Cost: Nil
  • Location: FICCI Museum Building, Delhi.
  • Attractions: The preserved herpetological specimens, butterflies and mounted specimens.

How to Reach

By Road

Delhi can be reached via road comfortably since it is connected to other parts of India through a dense network of roads. Once in Delhi, local transport like DTC buses, cab and taxi can be utilised.  

By Air

The nearest airport to the museum is the Indira Gandhi international airport and facilitates regular national and international flights.

By Train

Travelling to the museum by train is also convenient since the Delhi railway station junction is nearby. Also, one can take advantage of the efficient Delhi metro service to travel within Delhi.

By Bus

The local transport system of Delhi includes the DTC buses having varied and adequate transit opportunities within Delhi at reasonable rates.

 

 

 

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