Background

Zoological garden, Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, one of the oldest in the country, was established as an annexe to the Museum in 1857 by the erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore in order to attract more visitors.  This Zoo was originally set up for recreational purpose only.But with more and more loss of forest and wildlife in the process of human development, the goal of the Zoo changed from recreation to conservation.  Today Zoos are seen as the last resort for endangered animals and birds.  The Central Zoo Authority established in 1992 under the Ministry of Environment and Forest of India, enforces uniform management code to all the Zoos in the country and provide financial and technical support for the Zoos. 

Spread over in 55 acres of land located in the heart of the temple city of Thiruvananthapuram, the Zoo offers a rare opportunity for the visitors to experience and enjoy an unparalleled picturesque and panoramic sylvan surroundings besides vivid animal collections. The Zoo has 75 different species of animals not only from India but from abroad also. It also has several species of animals and birds from Ethiopian and Australian Zoo geographic regions. The Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr,  Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger are prominent among the indigenous endangered fauna. Giraffe, Hippo, Zebra, Cape Buffalo are the guests from African region. It will usher in a new era with the completion of the ongoing modernisation works in the Zoo. Thrilling encounters with the animals out in their open air landscapes are not too far.

Napier Museum (Art Museum)

One of the earliest Museum in India established by the Maharaja of Travancore in 1855. Only a very few Museums like the Indian Museum Calcutta, Madras Government Museum are its contemporaries. In 1874, the old Museum Building was pulled down and the foundation for the new building named after Lord Napier, the Governor of Madras presidency, was laid. The Architectural masterpiece was designed by Mr. Chisoln, the consulting Architect of the Madras Government and the construction completed in 1880. This 120 year old structure is a landmark in the city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets.

It offers an array of display of artistic, cultural and antique importance comprising of sculptures in bronze and stone, carvings of wood and ivory, lamps, textiles, Kathakali models, handicraft items, Kuftgiri works, traditional musical instruments, a treasure of numismatic collections representing Chera, Chola, Pandya dynasties of Southern India etc. The bronze display include fascinating images of Siva, Vishnu, Parvathi and Lakshmi in 'Silpa Sastras'. The metal images illustrate the features of South Indian sculpture style of 8th to 18th Century. The Vishnu image of 8th Century collected from Ambalapuzha temple in central Travancore which has Pallava style is the oldest metal image in the State. The stone sculptures belong to 8th to 18th Century such as Agasthya, Vishnu etc. manifest Dravidian influence. Shiva with Sati is a unique and the rarest exhibit found in the Museum.  All the wood carvings exhibited here shows high degree of excellence.   Each and every exhibit has a wonderful and fascinating tale twined around it.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery

This Gallery established in 1935 has a century old world famous paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, the pioneering Indian genies in the art of oil painting who was born and brought up at Kilimanoor Palace in Kerala, is a star attraction in this gallery.  The Artistic masterpieces of Bengal school of Arts, contemporary painters from within and outside the country constitute the bulk of the display. Famous Roerich paintings, miniatures from various parts of the world, manuscripts of great archival significance and the mural paintings unique to Kerala make the display in the gallery wholesome and complete. One gets dismayed as one goes through the profile of display watching hundreds of years old original works of world famous artists. Four hundred year old Tanjore miniature paintings, are interesting display in the gallery.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is housed in a modern spacious 2 stored building at an elevated ground at the eastern end of the Museum and Zoo complex, Thiruvananthapuram. The varied and rich collections in Natural History which started with the personnel collection of minerals and books presented by General Cullen in 1885 has found satisfactory housing in this new building in 1964.

The Museum has separate galleries for Mammals, Birds, Lower Vertebrates, Invertebrates, separate room for Index collections, Skeleton gallery, Ethnology gallery Library, Laboratory and office accommodations. There is also an outdoor exhibit of Fossil tree trunks near the entrance of the Museum.

K.C.S. Panicker’s Gallery

Established in the year 1979 a gallery solely dedicated to the paintings of contemporary Indian art of K.C.S. Panicker.

Sree Chitra Enclave.

This museum depicts the history of Travancore Royal family. The Chariot used by the Maharaja Shri. Sree Chitra Thirunal, plaster cast models of the Maharaja and Amma Maharani, meddles, stamps, coins, swords  and other belonging of Maharaja are exhibited here.

Education and publication division.

The large annual visitation to this Zoo makes it an excellent institution to increase public awareness about nature. Education is therefore an important task ably handled by the Education wing of the Department. Students and teachers from a wide variety of educational institutions take full advantage of the Zoo, Museum and other educational facilities offered. The education wing is creative and offers the best education for teachers students and all those interested in Wildlife. Ex-situ and In-situ conservation themes are of special importance in our Zoo education programmes.

1.  Conservation Education Class  : 

Regular classes are organised for the school/college students and public.  The target groups are given half a day class followed a free visit to the Zoo.  Wildlife and its importance, Nature and Wildlife Conservation are the core subjects covered.  Film shows and slide shows are also conducted as part of it.  If any school/college desire to attend the classes can contact the Education Officer.  

2.  Fortnightly interaction session  :

Topics related to nature conservation, environment health, cultivation of ornamental and medicinal plants, museum displays etc. are discussed in this session.  Departmental staff in Museums and Zoos, Botanical garden, member of Non Governmental Organisations and Nature Club etc. participate in the class.  This programme started since February  2001.

3.  Wildlife Film shows and exhibitions :

Wildlife film shows are organised on 1st Friday of every month in collaboration with WWF.  Wildlife photo exhibitions are organised frequently supported by the renowned local Wildlife Photographers. 

4. Other education programmes.

            a.  Outreach awareness classes are also being conducted.  A team will go to School/College and give them free Conservation Education classes and Film shows after that. This is done only on special request.

            b.  Touch table is exhibited during special occasions in which the students get chance to touch and feel trophies, teeth and skin of dead endangered animals. 

            c.  Skit and plays.  Skit on animal conservation are held in the Zoo during special occasions like Wildlife Week, Animal Welfare fortnightly etc. 

            d.  Wildlife Week, World Environment Day, Animal Welfare Fortnight etc. are celebrated every year with various programmes.  Competitions in Quiz, Elocution, Essay writing, Painting etc.  for school/college students are being held as part of it.  Prizes to the winners are also distributed in valedictory functions.  Nature awareness camps, discussions etc. for students are also organised in connection with Wildlife Week celebrations. 

            e.  Audio system.  Audio tapes containing appeal to visitors regarding hazards of plastic and other non biodegradable materials, feeding, molesting and teasing of Zoo animals and the relevant penal provision in the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 have been prepared and played at the Zoo entrance on festival days when the Zoo is over crowded.

Publications of Department of Museums and Zoos.

            1.  Brochures on Museums and Zoo. - Free

            2.  Catalogue of Selected bronzes, wood carvings and stone sculpture - Rs. 60/-

            3.  Our Museum (Malayalam) - Rs. 10/-

            4.  Picture cards on selected paintings of Raja Ravi Varma.  - Rs. 10/- (for each )

            5.  Posters on selected painting of Raja Ravi Varma  - Rs. 100/- (for each)

            6.  Booklet on Raja Ravi Varma (Both in English and Malayalam)- Rs.  25/-

            7.  Pamphlet on selected endangered wild animals. - Free.

Location of the Museums and Zoo, Thiruvananthapuram.

·        3 Kms from Thampanoor Bus Station and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.

·        9 Kms from the Air Port.

·        Approachable by K.S.R.T.C bus route : Museum, Vellayambalam, Peroorkada, Sasthamangalam, Vattiyoorkavu and Nedumangadu route buses.

Kerala State Museum and Zoo, Thrissur.

Started functioning in 1885.  Spread over in 5.5 hectors  of land in Thrissur town.  There are Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, Art Museum and Natural History Museum in this compound.  The Zoo has 315 animals in 46 species.  Art Museum consists of antiques and other unique exhibits.  Natural History Museum displays array of specimens of different kinds of animals.       

Location of State Museum and Zoo, Thrissur.

·        Located at Chembukavu in Thrissur town.  2 Kms from Thrissur Railway Station.

·        2 Kms from Transport Bus Stand.

V.K. Krishna Menon Museum and Art Gallery, Kozhikode.

            Started functioning in 1975  Situated at East Hill, 4½ Kilometres away from the Kozhikode City.  There exhibits personal belongings of V.K. Krishna Menon, the former Defence Minister of India.  Some collections of the paintings of the Raja Ravi Varma and some collections of Mural paintings, Modern paintings are also exhibited there.  A few collection of sculptures and ivory carvings are also displayed.