Bengal Natural History Museum
| Place | Darjeeling |
|---|---|
| State | West Bengal |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1903 |
| Museum Type | Natural History |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Padmaja Naidu, Himalayan Zoological Park, Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734104 |
| Visiting Time | 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM (Closed on Thursdays and National Holidays) |
| Entry Fee | Indians & SAARC Citizens (Adults) ₹110 Foreign Tourists ₹180 Children (Below 6 Years) Free Entry Sti |
Museum Introduction
Founded in 1903 at the initiative of the then Governor of Bengal, the museum was established to document the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Originally located in the Lloyd Botanical Garden, it moved to its current site in 1915 and became a major center for zoological research in the hills. It is currently managed as part of the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park complex.
General Collections
The museum houses over 4,300 specimens, including a massive collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. It features detailed taxidermy displays of Himalayan species in their natural habitats, along with an extensive herbarium and a specialized section for Himalayan minerals and rocks.
Unique Historical Collections
Rare Himalayan Taxidermy: The museum uniquely features the Tibetan Lynx, Red Panda, and the Snow Leopard in lifelike dioramas. Its bird collection is particularly significant, containing over 800 species including the rare Bearded Vulture and several species of Himalayan pheasants and tragopans.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum underwent a significant renovation in 2015-2016 to modernize the preservation techniques of its century-old specimens. It is located near the Darjeeling Zoo and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), making it part of a major educational circuit. |
| Artifacts | Stuffed Himalayan Black Bear; Specimens of the King Cobra and Python; Collection of over 1,100 species of Himalayan butterflies and moths; Skulls of wild elephants and rhinos; Preserved Estuarine Crocodiles; Comprehensive Himalayan bird egg collection. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 354-2254250 (Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park Office) |
| Email ID | pnhzp@rediffmail.com |