While dedicating the “National Faunal Repository of Himalaya cum Museum” to the Nation at Solan on Saturday, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that there was a need to make serious efforts to bring our rich tradition and heritage in front of everyone. Appreciating the efforts of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), High Altitude Regional Centre, Solan in this direction, he said that their hard work on documentation of fauna species on verge of extinction in the Himalayan region was really commendable. Addressing the scientists, the Governor said that there was a need to undertake such research and heritage institutions. He added that the ZSI has been working since last many years and explored many heritage but still has much to do. He said that our heritage was so rich and it was challenging to document it. Unfortunately, for the last several years, we have not made concerted efforts in this direction, but now works were being made in this direction, he said. He added that there was a need to bring this ‘treasure’ to the public and also preserve them for future.
He said that ZSI established them not to store faunal collections, nor to display, but rather to educate the public in Himachal, residents or visitors, about our faunal wealth, and our present and our place in this great country. This museum displays our rich faunal wealth, our pristine environment and our experiences from a present-day perspective, he added. “This Repository and Museum reflects an illustration of our Indian cultural identity. Museums and repositories are not warehouses of the past, but rather our present, embodied in how we look at our rich biodiversity and India, within the world in general”, said Arlekar. The Governor said that people of Himachal Pradesh and others in India were aware that the museums that ZSI has established here were for them to visit, educate, learn, aware, enjoy, reflect and debate. Himachal has situated in the heart of the western Himalaya, identified as “Biodiversity Hot Spot ” and was bestowed with very rich biodiversity, he added and said that wildlife of Himalaya was valuable and their lives were precious and priceless. He said that we must protect it to ensure a better future for future generations.
Director, Zoological Survey of India, Dr. Dhriti Banergee honoured and welcomed the Governor on the occasion. She said that the Zoological Survey of India’s “Himalayan Faunal Repository cum Museum” tells the story of our faunal wealth. It also encourages visitors to learn more about the Himachal Pradesh nature, biodiversity and much more. It provides space for reflection on what India has done, and what it aspires to do, she added. She said that by sharing this faunal wealth information with the public and other scientists, ZSI wants through the museums and repositories to cater for an environment of dialogue with ourselves and with others, to give our people an enlightened voice in shaping our future. Former Director, ZSI, Dr K. Venkataraman also briefed about the historical aspects of Zoological Survey and museum. Office-in-charge, ZSI Solan, Dr A.K. Sidhu also briefed about achievements of High Altitude Regional Centre, ZSI Solan. Scientist-D, ZSI Solan, Dr. Boni Amin Laskar proposed a vote of thanks. Deputy Commissioner Kritika Kulhari, Superintendent of Police Virender Sharma, Chancellor, Shoolini University Dr. P.K. Khosla, Director, Mushroom Research Center, Solan, Dr. V.P. Sharma and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
