WONDERS OF PLANET EARTH : FIRST BIODIVERSITY MUSEUM IN INDIA IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM AT KERALA

(In a centuries-old Boat House in Kerala, there exists a one-of-a-kind museum – the first-ever Biodiversity Museum in India! It is a one-stop destination for all your queries about biodiversity and lifeforms on the planet)

BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 30 NOVEMBER 2022

The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has set up what can be considered the first-ever biodiversity museum in the country. The Kerala Biodiversity Museum which was established on 5 June 2018 at Vallakadavu in Thiruvananthapuram aims to generate awareness about biodiversity and Nature among people.

The key groups of people the museum targets include farmers, students, forest-dependent communities, artisans, students and scholars. The museum has been structured in such a way that the many wonders of the natural world are vivified in all their splendour. The museum takes the visitors on a journey right from the Big Bang Theory to the origin of life and all other living forms on earth.

With interactive panels, videos, exhibits, life-size models and dioramas, the museum will give a peek into the diverse life forms on the planet. The importance of biodiversity conservation is explained in a 3D theatre. The Science on Sphere Projection system focuses on large sphere visualisation, and uses multimedia projection to simulate the earth and other heavenly bodies. Attention is also directed towards the threats to biodiversity. Interactive kiosks and LCDs, along with scale models of endangered and endemic species, have been designed to give a larger-than-life experience to the public. Information panels on various aspects of biodiversity, galleries themed on biodiversity and various ecosystem models offer the best avenues to learn about biodiversity. Along with this, an aquarium and medicinal plant garden are also set up here.

In addition to this, the museum hosts plenty of products such as traditional rice varieties, different types of shells and other marine products. The museum with its rare and innovative exhibits is one of a kind that gives all information about biodiversity and the earth we live in.

ABOUT

A state of art Biodiversity museum was set up at Vallakadavu by Kerala State Biodiversity Board with galleries which gives an overview of the ecosystem and Biodiversity of India with special focus on Kerala. The Museum housed at Vallakadavu Boat House, a heritage building is aimed at providing awareness about biodiversity, species and ecosystem diversity, biodiversity conservation activities in Kerala, in India and at Global level and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. The major attraction is the Biodiversity Gallery – a gallery with a variety of bio diversity of both India and Kerala. The galleries throw light on prehistoric animals such as Dinosaurs, ecologically important species, Threatened species etc. Exhibits, dioramas, scaled down models, interactive kiosks, LCD displays are some of the major attractions. 1st floor is dedicated to biodiversity of India and Kerala and has Interactive Panels and Backlit panels in addition to videos of the panorama of species diversity. Ground floor exhibits focus on Conservation and sustainable utilization of Biodiversity, Agro biodiversity etc and has Interactive Panels and Backlit panels and also videos. The major threats to biodiversity and conservation initiatives at global level, and national level and the conserved areas of India are highlighted.

A 3D theatre with a seating capacity of 50 seats is also established. Science on Sphere (SOS) is another attraction of the park. In South India SOS is available only at Vishweshwaraya Museum, Bengaluru. SOS
is a room sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, analogous to a giant animated globe. SOS is a global system with real time data which can be used as an educational tool to create awareness about biodiversity and threats to biodiversity especially climate change.

The adjacent water body connected with Parvathy puthanar was developed into a visually pleasing arena with a viewing dock and seating arrangements. The area houses fountains, a vertical garden and aquarium. The park will act as the single location to provide a holistic knowledge on biodiversity and therefore intends to impart exposure to stakeholders of different types of biodiversity and its uses.