To collect, identify and preserve natural history to develop a reference collection of plants, animals, rocks, minerals and fossils found in Pakistan, meant for serving as repository of all ‘type specimens’, the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) is not only attracting a large number of visitors but also proving the main source of information about natural history of the country.
Located at the Garden Avenue Shakarparian under along the lush green Margalla Hills, the museum depicts early human history, geology and wildlife of Pakistan.
Established in 1976 under the Science Foundation (Ministry of Science and Technology), the PMNH has four divisions – Botanical, Zoological, Earth Sciences and Public Services. The first three divisions are engaged in the collection, identification and research activities related to plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals resources.
Talking to Pakistan Today, a PMNH official said the facility included various galleries, including Bio, Tethys, Gemstones, Eco (also known as children’s discovery room) and Palaeo.
Giving details about these galleries, the official said Bio Gallery provided information about flora and fauna of Pakistan. “It has been divided into two sections; one provides information about different animals, birds and plants found in different regions ranging from the mountainous north to the seashores.”
The museum shows the dependence of different animals and plants for food on each other.
The Palaeo Gallery is based on pre-historic wildlife of Pakistan. Some of the fossils are as old as 650 million years. The story of human intelligence and evolution has also been narrated through fossils, paintings and write-ups.
The official said, “Scientists, artists and designers are also responsible for science education and creating awareness about environment and conservation through dioramas, exhibits, lectures, workshop, seminar, posters, shows etc. The PMNH also provides consultancy and advisory services to public and private sector.”
Public Education and Awareness: The distinction of PMNH lies not only in research but also in implementing mass education and awareness about conservation of biodiversity and environment-related issues through three-dimensional displays and dioramas, a source of attraction for all ages – children and adults, illiterate or the professional scholars.
The scientific information is translated in the form of an easy-to-understand and attractive medium so that it not only reaches general public but is also easily understood and digested by them. Usually, such mass communication medium is in the form of three-dimensional diorama, which is visually quite attractive and informative.
The newly constructed galleries include:
1. Biodiversity Gallery: This fascinating diorama depicts life as it exists in areas of permanent snow and ice fields in the Himalayas, alpine meadows, dry coniferous forests, moist temperate forests, tropical deciduous forests and riverine plains, representing some of the major ecosystems of Pakistan.
It is meant for educating the general public about the diversity of national faunistic heritage of the country. Today, more than 1,000 species of animals and 2,500 varieties of plants are facing extinction because of man’s thoughtless exploitation of nature for his own selfish ends. His own survival depends on the conservation of nature and natural resources. This is the message conveyed through this diorama.
There are also exhibits depicting serious problems associated with the survival of biodiversity of the country such as population, pollution, industrialization, deforestation, forest fire, soil erosion, desertification, over hunting, fishing and grazing.
2. Marine Ecosystem: A marine diorama showing various aspects of oceanography and submarine geology has been organised on marine environment, coral reef formation, sedimentation and fossilisation.
3. Salt Range and Siwalik Diorama: The Salt Range, known as a geological museum of the world, has been beautifully depicted in a diorama. It provides quick geological information about the area. The Siwalik rocks of the Potohar area are known for their wealth of the vertebrate fossils and hence they are the key to understand the evolutionary trends of the vertebrate life in Pakistan.
3. Eco Galleries: The Ecological Gallery is equipped with several mini exhibitions to display structural and functional peculiarities of animals, plants and rock etc, in order to educate children about fascinating world of nature.
Recently computerized interactive programmes are being prepared to communicate information more effectively. A number of educational activities are organized all the year round. These include lectures, film shows, publication of popular literature for creation of environmental awareness and to enhance aesthetic sense for natural history and to develop such hobbies as bird and butterfly watching, animal behaviour, photography etc. which could be a step towards participation in conservation of natural living wealth of the country. Thousands of people, mostly school going children, visit the Museum on a monthly basis.
