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Bhubaneswar, August 10: The motive behind establishing a museum of natural history is not to romanticise the past; it is rather to look at the past to solve problems of the present. Professor KK Basa, chief guest at the 12th foundation day of Regional Museum of Natural History, Wednesday, reiterated this opinion in his address.
“We have to be conscious and concerned about things that are affecting the environment. The increase in carbon concentration, global warming, and the extinction of species need to be addressed,” he said.
An exhibition titled ‘Intangible Natural Heritage of Orissa’ was also inaugurated as part of the celebration. The exhibition is comprised of materials that showcase traditions and practices of local communities, which have become part and parcel of life in the state.
SP Adhikary, the vice chancellor of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, who was among the special guests, said:
“The state has many natural resources which are unknown to people, these need to be included in the museum. Rice is believed to have been cultivated first in Orissa as there are many wild varieties of the grain in the region. Information about those varieties needs to be included in the museum of natural history.”
Gourav, the scientist in-charge of Regional Museum of Natural History, said the exhibition was aimed at highlighting elements of natural history associated with Lord Jagannath and Nabakalebara.
“The exhibition focuses on the arts, crafts, food, dresses, medicines, religious events, dances and daily life which are enriched by natural resources. The exhibition also expresses the threat of climate change and how preserving natural history may help communities fight natural calamities,” Gourav said.
According to Gourav, there are plans to include intangible natural history as a subject at a university in the state. “We are regularly holding educational activities at Chilika and Chandaka. We are giving open invitations to youths who can volunteer to create awareness about intangible natural history,” he added.
