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Located on the western hillock of the Kathmandu Valley, beneath the watchful eye of the revered Swayambhu Stupa, is the Natural History Museum of Nepal, a treasure trove of the country's natural heritage. This institution, established in 1975, is a guardian of the country’s rich biodiversity and an example to the persistent relationship between nature and culture in the heart of the Himalayas.
A Sanctuary at Swayambhu
The Swayambhu hillock, with its ancient religious significance, also holds a lesser-known yet vital role in the natural history of Nepal. Early in the 19th century, Sir Buchanan Hamilton, the first plant hunter in Nepal made important findings here. His explorations revealed 27 type species, many of which he named using the local Newar and Nepali languages. Even if some of these species have vanished from the hillside over time, the museum is firm in its commitment to safeguarding whatever remains of this delicate natural environment.
A Mission Rooted in Conservation and Education
The mission of the Natural History Museum extends far beyond limited collection. It seeks to encourage and promote important national and international research. With its important information on the connections between natural history and current environmental and cultural challenges, the museum plays a pivotal role in environmental education.
A Collection of Nepal’s Biodiversity
The extraordinary treasures exhibited within the museum provide a view into the remarkable diversity of life that exists in Nepal. The museum is a true Noah's Ark of the country's flora, animals, and fungi, with over 50,000 specimens. 14,843 specimens of butterflies and moths, 1,194 specimens of birds, and an extensive collection of fossils, including the skull of the Archidiskodon, a prehistoric elephant species that formerly roamed Nepal's Sivalik Hills, are some of its most impressive possessions.
In its collection, the museum also safeguards some of the rarest and most threatened species in Nepal, such as the Giant Hornbill and the Chinese Pangolin. The museum’s specimen of the spiny babbler, Nepal’s only endemic bird species, is particularly noteworthy. These collections are more than just scientific artifacts; they are symbols of a natural world that is rapidly changing and in need of protection.
Knowledge and Conservation
Apart from its holdings, the museum is essential to international conservation initiatives. The museum is leading the way in educating and training individuals working in the conservation field, serving as the scientific authority for Nepal's CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Since 1977, the periodical of Natural History Museum, the organization's annual periodical, has been a mainstay of Nepalese natural science literature, adding to the body of knowledge about the country's distinctive biodiversity worldwide.
Looking to the Future
As Nepal continues to develop and modernize, the Natural History Museum stands as a reminder of the delicate balance between progress and preservation. Its mission to educate, inspire, and protect is more relevant than ever in a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges. Through its collections, research, and outreach, the museum not only connects the Nepali people with their natural heritage but also sends a powerful message: the protection of Nepal’s natural history is a shared responsibility, one that requires the dedication and effort of all.
In the heart of Kathmandu, where the sacred and the natural converge, the Natural History Museum of Nepal remains a safe place where the past is preserved, the present is understood, and the future is safeguarded for generations to comePicture Credit: KTM Guide, wikipedia
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