Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday inaugurated four galleries at the Indian Museum — three with zoological specimens and one with botanical specimens.
The three zoological galleries showcase invertebrate, mammal species with one gallery dedicated to explaining major ecosystems in the country.
The mammal gallery will have 314 exhibits, belonging to 138 species of mammals, of which 62 are from neighbouring countries. Rare skeletons of elephants and whales, along with major mammal skeletons, are on display.
The botanical gallery showcases about 15,185 products, which includes natural dyes, fibres and textiles along with timber and other products of India, along with seven illustrative volumes of Flora of India by James Dalton Hooker which are on display.
According to officials, the ministry has spent ₹17 crore for the renovation of the zoological galleries. The cost of the botanical gallery is about Rs 26 crore.
The earliest botanical and zoological research in the country started in Kolkata in the late 19th century and many priceless specimens, some hundreds of years old, are housed in these galleries. These galleries have been closed for two to five years and the renovated galleries will add to more visitors Indian Museum the oldest museum in the country.
Green Good Deed
The Minister also urged people to perform at least one "Green Good Deed" everyday as part of their social responsibility to bring about significant changes in the environmental conditions.
“After a lot of research, the Ministry has come up with more than 500 small acts that can help improve our environmental conditions. We call them the Green Good Deeds. If every citizen can pursue at least one green good deed everyday that would be of immense benefit for our future generations," he said.
The Minister said that the app is available in Google Play Store and availing this app, one may indulge into the ‘500 Green Good Deeds’ movement to save the environment.
