A new museum, along the lines of the one in the Thiruvananthapuram zoological gardens, will soon come up at the Vandalur zoo.
According to wildlife authorities, they have already started the collection of insects, different species of herbs, woods, geological rocks and other artefacts from across the State that will be exhibited at the museum.
The State forest minister made an announcement in this regard during the current budget session and said Rs. 20 lakh had been earmarked for this project, which will be completed by the end of the current financial year. The State government issued an order, dated October 29, to this effect stating a Forest and Wildlife Museum would be established at Vandalur zoo.
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The order further stated Rs. 5 lakh would be allocated for preparing display furniture, Rs. 2 lakh for labelling, special light arrangements and fans, and Rs. 13 lakh for the collection and preparation of materials, a herbarium, xylarium, entomological collection, portraits, soil and rock collections and artefacts. The museum will come up on a 2,000-sq ft area located near the exit gate, authorities said.