Forest Department to open museum in Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Forest Department plans to set up a museum to display the valuables in its possession. The Department has too many valuables shut up in its strong rooms. 
 

The valuables, especially animal trophies will be displayed at the Heritage Museum which will be set up in its headquarters at Thiruvananthapuram. The Department has already flouted tender from contractors for construction activities. 
 

The facility is likely to be based on the theme of 'conservation' and possession of antique and educational value available with the Department will be exhibited at the museum. 
 

The exhibits will include animal and timber artefacts. "We aim to create awareness among people about the value of forests and the role they play in providing water, habitat, wood, recreation among other benefits," A forest official said. 
 

The prize catches of the Department like deer antlers, elephant tusks, and tiger skin will be the major attractions. The massive booty of ivory tusks which were confiscated from poachers and ivory smugglers and collected from dead elephants weigh around 10, 000 kg. 
Earlier, Department was planning to burn the husks which are safely kept in its strong rooms. The safes are not so reliable to keep such valuables, and there is a threat from smugglers as well. The limited infrastructure facility of the Department is an open invitation for smugglers and thieves. 
 

The government had banned ivory trade in 1991 through an amendment of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and hence it cannot be traded in the open market. 

• Museum
• Forest Department
• Kerala Forest Department
• Forest Museum