The museum is situated in Maowa, of the Lohajang Upazila, Munshiganj and is under construction alongside Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge project

The Padma Bridge Museum –said to be the largest, most immersive conservation attractions in the country –is scheduled to open its doors for nature lovers in 2020.

The museum is situated in Maowa, of the Lohajang Upazila, Munshiganj and is under construction alongside Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge project.

It will allow anyone interested in our natural history, to learn and study taxidermy animals (preserving an animal’s body via mounting or stuffing, for the purpose of display or study) prevalent in our country.

The Padma Bridge Museum is envisioned to display various species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fishes, birds and insects.

It will be the largest, most immersive conservation attractions in the country. This would be an easy way to spend hours indoors.

The main purpose of the Padma Bridge Museum is to preserve the wildlife and fishes for future generations and tourists. During baseline survey for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, the experts informed the Padma Bridge site is rich in wildlife such as various types of foxes, mongooses, birds including bats, snakes, dolphin, fishes etc. The museum is being built where various remains of animals collected from the bridge area and around the country have been preserved.

The overall expenditure for constructing this museum is estimated to be Tk30 crore.

The Zoology Department of Dhaka University was appointed in February 2016 to build the museum. The Department is home to 13 staffs that support daily activities in all major collections in a multitude of ways. These activities include preparation, cataloguing, and inventory of specimens. Local people are also encouraged in the specimen collection process by awareness program and offering them free membership cards to the museum. Total number of collection to date is more than 1500.

The Museum is home to 56 specimen from 21 species of Mammals, 44 specimen from 22 species of Amphibians, 303 specimen from 297 species of Fishes, 63 specimen from 59 species of Marine Invertebrates, 197 specimen from 159 species of Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths), 50 specimen from 37 species of Insects. Other significant specimens on display will be the Ganges River Dolphin, Leopard, Baya weaver bird, local yellow snake, Indian Longfin Eel and Ilish.

The majority of specimens are preserved in formalin, with a number of mounted skeletons and cleared and stained samples that allow skeletal structures to be visible. This will offer a look at aquatic life, such as genetic dolphin, marine turtle, stingray and much more. Also found here is a collection of fishing gear.

A collection of 10 amazing mammals obtained from all around the country has been displayed. Visitors will see the Bengal fox, bobcat, small Asian mongoose, otter, civet etc on display.

Visitors will have a chance to see the mammals and fishes of the local area as well as other animal species.

A museum official said: “This area is bursting with biodiversity. We are planning to have an outdoor display with other zoological specimens. This will attract the visitors as well as contribute to education and research possibilities for biologists and nature enthusiasts.”

Padma Bridge Museum Curator said: “There is a significant opportunity to reach thousands of visitors about the importance of conserving, protecting and enhancing wildlife. If the authority wishes we can open the museum for visitors concurrently with the Padma Bridge inauguration. But the museum will need more structural development in that case.”

dhakatribune