THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
September 9, 2013
The entrance to the Natural History Museum in
Thiruvananthapuram. The refurbished portion will be inaugurated on Tuesday.
Improved presentation of some exhibits, better signage under first phase of refurbishment
Maniyan and Rita look far more glamorous now. Tall green grass
surrounds these two rhinoceroses and a line of white bulbs on top shows every
twist and fold of their tough skin.
From Assam, Maniyan arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in 1956 and
Rita in 2003. These two belonged to different generations, led different lives
in the city zoo, and met separate ends. And now they stand, on one side of the
foyer of the Natural History Museum here, immortalised through taxidermy.
The two are first of the 2,500 exhibits, whose presentation has
been enhanced by the renovation work at the museum, the first phase of which is
over. The official inauguration of the refurbished museum is scheduled for
September 10.
Another exhibit at the foyer that has found emphasis due to the
redone entrance of the museum is the fibreglass model of the False Killer Whale
that was found stranded on the Thiruvananthapuram coast way back in 1902.
Marking the first phase of the renovation is ornate woodwork
stretching from ceiling to floor and the elaborate polished wood.
The entrance now flaunts bright teak wood panelling that is
marked by floral designs and traditional carvings of birds. This work was done
through the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO).
Another project carried out as part of the renovation is the
modelling of two dinosaur species — the Tyrannosaurus and the Yangchuanosaurus.
The modelling was done by artist B. Jinan. They have been placed in two
different spots in the sprawling museum grounds along with signboards denoting
the features of the species.
The museum also gets a prehistoric quality through the improved
presentation of some of the exhibits. Wood fossils have always stood in front
of the Natural History Museum here but drab presentation has hardly won them
any attention.
Hence, construction agency Costford was roped in to make a shed
made of all eco-friendly materials as part of the renovation. The construction,
of the new enclosure of the ‘permineralised’ remains of what once stood as
trees, has been carried out at a total cost of Rs. 1.62 crores, Superintendent
of the Natural History Museum S. Abu says.
He adds the exhibits inside have also been improved upon by
attaching them with better and more informative signage. Considering the fact
that school students form a major part of their clientele, these displays will
enrich their experience, says Mr. Abu.
Zoo Director B. Joseph told The Hindu that they were
considering modernising the presentation of all the exhibits. This may form the
second phase of the renovation.
“We will also launch two new buggies on the same day as the
inauguration. They are 14-seaters and SIDCO is supplying the vehicles. There is
a massive demand for the two battery-powered vehicles that are currently in
use. They are both 8-seaters and can be booked for either Rs. 50 per person or
Rs. 350 for the whole buggy,” says Mr. Joseph.
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