National Museum of Natural History

Educating and interpreting about the biodiversity of Central India, its significance and conservation of natural heritage through Showcases/ Diorama/ Open air models/ exhibits/ Audi-visual techniques/ Multimedia/ Interactive displays/ film shows/street-plays/lectures/seminars/workshops/ publications/ educational activities etc.

Nature’s Network

• The introductory gallery on Nature’s Network begins with fascinating display of 07 different natural habitats or biome each showing the adaptations of plants and animals to suit that particular habitat.
• Showcases with cut-outs and pictures of forest types of Madhya Pradesh, floral & faunal diversity of Central India and their economic importance.
• Halfrelief model displaying three major rivers systems on the wall and with translits emphasizing about the importance of water bodies/wetlands for sustenance of life.
• Exhibits of geological timescale and important minerals, fossils, and other rock forms of India.
• Replica of Dianosaur egg, skull.
• Realistic diorama showing Baiga tribe living in harmony with nature.
• Importance of photosynthesis, feeding relationships and energy transfer from food through food chain, interconnecting food chain i.e. food web, complex pattern of energy flow and amount in an ecosystem through ecological pyramid
• Role of scavengers and decomposers in decomposition of plant and animal bodies by splitting the dead organic matter into basic elements and thus returning to nature.
• Importance of relationship between the living and the non-living environment is depicted through a series of biogeochemical cycles.
• Exhibit of Indian cheetah, which is no longer seen in India due to over exploitation of nature and selfish approach of humans sending a message that life flourishes only if nature and natural resources are conserved.
• Exhibit displaying pictures of products as skin, bones, elephant ivory etc. derived from animals through illegal trade, poaching.
• Showcase displaying a fur coat, gloves, and cap conveying the message to discourage and stop using animal derived products as leather, fur etc. resulting inthe unprecedented decline of most charismatic as well as lesser known wildlife species.
• Diorama displaying endangered species which are at risk due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade and invasive species etc.
• The gallery ends with the last exhibit displaying a mirror behind the globe so that one can see its own reflection and understand that we are responsible for the good and bad of our planet and connect oneself to nature.

Courtyards

• A family of model of Dinosaurs Triceratops feasts the eye of visitors in the Central Courtyard of the museum. There are two mini courtyards where wetlands eco-system and traditional conservation exhibit in the form of models, waterfall, relief painting etc are shown.

Life through Ages

• Huge wall painting depicting evolution of life on earth showing different kinds of plants and animals found today and helping the visitor understands the mysteries of life over time and space. This wall painting culminates with the emergence of modern man.
  Discovery Centre
• Interactive exhibit themed test your knowledge about nature.
• A beautiful aquarium with colorful fishes adding life to the area.
• Informative pictorial exhibit of extinct animals with a beautiful model of Dodo.
• Touch and feel models of dolphin, great Indian bustard, scorpionand hedgehog.
• Skeleton of crocodile, and skull of blackbuck.
• Real specimen of a baby elephant, kangaroo, red panda, bat, king crab, a fossil of cladis, whale vertebra and king cobra,
• Hands on exhibits in the form of models, cut-outs, half relief etc.
• Discovery drawers with models of pug mark, fruits, bark, informative hand outs, etc
• Interactive exhibit with recorded bird call for children to hear and gather information about them.
• Showcase displaying skin of white tigress called Rashmi recieved from Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal.
• Reading and exploring area for with different books on science, nature, stories for children.
• Loan kits on various topics for school children and to enrich classroom teaching.

GALLERIES WITH TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

1. Rivers of M.P.
   This exhibition displays all rivers of M.P., flora, fauna, catchment area, riparian zone, water pollutionindicators with the help of informative pictorial panels, translit, diorama and working model showing the origin & tributaries of the Holy river Narmada.
   
   It also focuses the social economic and cultural aspects of humans related with the rivers.
   
   
2. Wilderness in the Dark
   This exhibition informs us about those animals and plants which are nocturnal in nature and how they differentiate their ecological niche and adapt nocturnal behaviour for their survival.
   
   The unique behaviour of animals displayed in the exhibition through informative & pictorial panels along with a large diorama displaying many nocturnal specimens and models giving a feel of night in the jungle with the help of multimedia effects.