Bengal Natural History Museum

3 miles from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the Bengal Natural History Museum. It is among the top attractions in Darjeeling. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park complex has it. Geroge Nathaniel Curzon gave the go-ahead to open the museum in 1903. In its current location, the museum was established in 1915 after initially being founded as a tiny museum. In 1923, the museum was formally established. It has an extensive collection of almost 4300 species, including uncommon mammals, birds, fish, insects, and reptiles. All of these were captured and preserved as actual animals. There are also estuary crocodile specimens present.

The museum has two sections, one in the basement and the other on the first floor. At ground level, the first portion is devoted to birds. The Himalayan Brown Wood Owl, Northern Spotted Owl, Northern Brown Fish Owl, pheasants, fly catchers, woodpeckers, and many other species can all be seen. The collection includes specimens of over 400 local species of birds, totaling more than 820 specimens. Only two foreign species have been sent to the museum as gifts. The museum also has a sizable collection of bird nests and their eggs. On the tree branches, they are all arranged in their natural environments.

Additionally, numerous species of animals are on show, including panthers, leopards, Tibetan foxes, Tibetan lynxes, toddies, heads of wild buffaloes hanging from the walls, and Tibetan lynxes and lynxes. Different kinds of beetles, moths, dragonflies, and butterflies were on show in glass cabinets. Numerous bird species, including pelicans, jungle birds, and others, are displayed in the basement against different West Bengali topographic elements. The Bengal Natural History Museum keeps a substantial collection of Himalayan flora. The museum also contains a modest library home to numerous priceless and rare volumes, including the 125-volume “The Fauna of British India” series.

Attraction

It now houses a sizable collection of skins, bones, antlers, and other anatomical components from many species of birds, mammals, insects, fish, and reptiles. The museum keeps a few real birds and animals in a replica of a natural environment.
Himalayan brown wood owls, northern spotted owlets, northern brown fish owls, pheasants, fly catchers, myna, night jars, kingfishers, snipes, woodpeckers, swifts, niltava, water birds, barbets, hornbills, cuckoos, and even some large birds of prey are housed here. Up to 820 bird specimens represent more than 400 species, 110 egg kinds, 35 snake species, and 57 fish species. Visitors can also see local birds and butterflies in the museum’s Botanical Garden. Students and academics are particularly fond of the museum; they frequent it frequently on the weekends for a few hours of fun visual education. Overall, the museum is so attractive and educational.

History

At the request of Mr. George Nathaniel Curzon, the then-Governor-General of India, this Natural History Museum was founded in 1903. The Lloyd Botanical Garden established a modest museum on its grounds. The museum was moved to its current location in 1915 due to increased visitors and an expanding collection, and the Bengal Natural History Museum was formally established in 1923. From 1923 to 1976, the Bengal Natural Museum Society first managed the museum before turning it over to the West Bengal Forest Department.

Inside/Outside Views

The enormous area on the bottom floor has rows of glass cabinets on either side as you walk in. Birds are the subject of the first part. Pheasants, flycatchers, woodpeckers, Himalayan Brown Wood Owls, Northern Spotted Owlets, and Northern Brown Fish Owls are just a few of the animals you may witness. On the tree branches, they are all arranged in their natural environments. You probably have yet to see birds of some sizes on display since they are so enormous. More than 820 bird specimens from more than 400 local species are included. Only two foreign species have been sent to the museum as gifts. You will see extensive collections of bird eggs on one side. Although there are 110 different species of eggs, not all are on exhibit for space reasons. There is a lovely assortment of nests in all different sizes. A considerable crocodile is located straight ahead in the main room. The scientific community knows this species as Estuarine and considers it one of the most vicious predators. It is stored in a flat, low cabinet made of glass. The museum exhibits 35 of the 76 snake species in the area. The museum contains a large number of additional reptile and amphibian specimens.
Of the 100 kinds of fish in the vicinity, 57 species can be seen. You can observe several creatures on display while walking around the ground-level space. Some fantastic exhibitions include a Tibetan fox, a Tibetan lynx resembling a considerable cat, Toddy cats, wild buffalo heads hanging from the walls, panthers, and leopards. Beyond the crocodile, you will also see two enormous pieces of elephant ivory arranged side by side and in a circle. Here, the insects have their department. On glass cabinets, many species of beetles, dragonflies, moths, and butterflies are on show. This area has 1104 distinct sorts of insects, including 608 different species of butterflies and moths. The museum’s surrounding vegetation and natural setting also attract tourists to its exterior.

How to Reach

It is easy to go to the Bengal Natural History Museum. It is situated in Lloyd’s Botanical Garden, a well-known tourist destination. Due to its position, it is easily accessible thanks to a broad network of roads. Numerous buses and taxis are available for transportation to and from the museum.
New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, also known as Siliguri Station, is the closest station. Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport.