By Kavitha Bhaskaran

[Pics. by M.N. Lakshminarayana Yadav]

The Regional Museum of Natural History Mysore (RMNH) is an excellent place to spend a day if you’re looking at a fulfilling experience for you and your loved ones. The RMNH’s extensive collection of exhibitions on the flora, fauna and geology of southern India is an adventure worth investing in, and here is why.

Reinforcing our ideas on conservation

“A conservation-oriented mindset is what can genuinely contribute to global change,” says Vijay, RMNH Scientist. “And this mindset can be brought about by understanding the need for conservation and the judicious use of natural resources in our immediate ecosystem and surroundings.”

The exhibitions at the RMNH are a breath-taking collection of specimens and models of nature and natural resources that demonstrate the ecological interconnectedness of plants and animals. When you’re here, immersed in the wildlife, flora and geology of Southern India, you can’t help but wonder what you, as an individual, can do to conserve the earth and its finite and precious resources.

A diverse array of galleries that educate and enlighten

Biological Diversity – Gallery 1

A diorama of the Western Ghats and its collection of endangered flora and fauna, topography and geology will help you better understand why the region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots.

The thalassophile and the non-thalassophile alike will enjoy the unusual yet beautiful adaptations of marine life. In particular, a model of the world’s largest creature, a blue whale.

A large panel showcases the river Cauvery, which is the lifeline of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as well as her various landmarks and the cultural, biological and physical legacy of the territories it serves.

Sections on Tropical Rain Forests illustrate one of the most magnificent wildernesses on our planet, highlighting the wealth of the tropical rain forests, of which India is a vital part.

A stunning portrayal of an extensive network of mangrove forests and wetlands is enough to mesmerise anyone.

A giant exhibit panel warning against the extinction of natural diversity will prompt you to consider your personal contribution to global change.

Life Through the Ages – Gallery 2

In a walk-through tunnel titled “Life Through Ages,” visitors can unravel the mystery of life across time and space, beginning with Earth’s formation and continuing through the ages. Modern humans are the pinnacle of the evolutionary tunnel. A life-size replica of Jurassic Park is a must-see at this gallery.

Discovery Centre – Gallery 3

A discovery room, a computer room, a vivarium and a micro weather station are all part of the Discovery Centre. In the discovery room, children can handle, explore and analyse specimens. This portion is a double treat for the kids — with a mini-theatre and a mini-stage for audio-visual representations and skits, toys and jigsaw puzzles and a sound booth.

A 30-foot-long skeleton remains of a Bryde’s whale — her ageless beauty is difficult to put into words — must not be missed in this region.

It is a museum for everyone — true inclusion.

Museum garden at RMNH

RMNH is the first museum garden for the visually impaired in India! The “Touch, Feel, and Learn Live Plant Bio-resource Centre” is a section reserved for persons who are blind or visually impaired. They can understand the nature around them, thanks to Braille labelling and voice commentary. The facility of ramps built for the physically challenged is by far one of the best at RMNH. Like we said, this is a museum for everyone! A museum designed for inclusivity.

Additional perks

Free admission, complimentary parking, guided tours led by a friendly and experienced staff, activities, nature camps for school pupils, nature art, animal modelling and special programmes for those with disabilities.

If that isn’t enough, the staff here allows you to bring your own food and enjoy a delicious lunch with your loved ones in a two-acre garden shaded by a gorgeous variety of flowers and trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to witness a couple of incredibly beautiful peacocks who will gladly nibble on a piece of your lunch.

They say, “Our forests are the lungs of the planet,” and if we are to protect nature’s lungs, we need a new perspective, a new take and a new experience on “conservation,” as well as first-hand knowledge of the practices we must adopt to care for the earth and her resources so that all living things can benefit now and in the future.

The RMNH team does an excellent job of providing this much-needed perspective. If you are in Mysuru, it would be a shame to pass up the opportunity to reap the benefits of a wonderful “conservation experience,” so make it a priority to visit RMNH — a genuinely gratifying trip awaits you!

Unique stone sculptures in the garden

A collection of amusing stone sculptures has been created in the garden to pique children’s interest and encourage them to learn more about the environment and species in their immediate vicinity. These three-dimensional art works of mammals and arthropods are both visually appealing and unmissable.