The concept of 'The Indian Museum of Earth,' a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, is inspired by the Natural History Museum of London…
Key Steps for the Conservation of Geo-Heritage include…
India has a rich geological heritage (Geoheritage), which makes it a unique country. On one side, there are fossil sites, and on the other side, there are areas with geological features that offer us a glimpse into the distant past, providing evidence of the origin and development of diverse forms of life. These sites connect prehistoric climates and life to the present day, serving as a link to help us understand contemporary climate change. They are in need of conservation for the benefit of future generations and for public display.
The studies mentioned above fall under the domain of 'Palaeontology.' According to scientists, compared to other scientific fields, palaeontology offers the best opportunities to understand the principles related to biodiversity and endangered species. By unraveling the Earth's history, dating back approximately 3.6 billion years, palaeontology equips us with the knowledge needed to devise ways to safeguard biodiversity, endangered species, and animals from the threats of climate change in the near future. It is evident that our planet's biodiversity is diminishing at an alarming rate, primarily due to the loss of natural habitats and the impacts of climate change. As a result, there is a pressing need to raise awareness among the public through sound policies, effective measures, and engaging public interactions in order to conserve our valuable geoheritage. This need has led to the emergence of modern research-oriented museums like Palaeontological museums in India, designed to capture public attention and promote both education and research.The concept of 'The Indian Museum of Earth,' often referred to as 'TIME,' is founded on the idea that museums serve as mirrors of society, reflecting its development in various stages. They play a vital role in fostering a better understanding within society and generating interest in the field of paleontology, especially among the younger generation. 'Time' Museum's objective is to integrate multiple themes and maintain ongoing engagement with the public. Furthermore, it aims to promote scientific thinking within the public's mindset and enhance their understanding of scientific endeavors in the near future.
Currently, in addition to museums affiliated with research and educational institutions, there are numerous museums in India that house geological, archaeological, and paleontological collections, such as the National Museum of Natural History in New Delhi and the Indian Museum in Kolkata. However, many of these museums lack advanced technology and a well-trained workforce. Therefore, there is a pressing need for these museums to improve and enhance accessibility for the general public, as well as to attract more visitors. It is in response to these needs that the concept of the 'TIME' museum emerged, drawing inspiration from renowned paleontological museums like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., USA, and the Natural History Museum in London, UK."
The Lucknow-based Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) has taken a significant initiative in collaboration with various institutions and organizations across the country to bring the concept of 'Time' Museum to life. This initiative aims to conserve India's geological heritage and raise awareness among the general public about the importance of our geo-heritage and related geological education, sparking interest in research studies. Dr. Vivesh V. Kapoor, a scientist from the institute involved in this endeavor, pointed out that due to a lack of public awareness, insufficient policy implementation, and inadequate laws, many fossil sites and priceless discoveries have not received the attention they deserve. Additionally, these locations are subject to exploitation by local communities and neglect by authorities. Hence, there is a compelling need for a research-oriented museum like 'The Indian Museum of Earth' (TIME) in India."
The scientists at the institute sought to gauge public opinion on the concept of the Time Museum, following the model of the Natural History Museum in London and the Indian Museum in Kolkata. To achieve this, they conducted a small survey. The scientists consider this survey more than just an opinion poll; it represents an initiative to safeguard India's geoheritage. Led by Dr. Vivesh V. Kapoor, the survey aimed to assess public awareness on the subject of 'Paleo Paleontology' in the context of the importance of fossils in research, fossil conservation, and addressing climate change. Their goal was to generate and cultivate public interest and awareness regarding the advantages of establishing a state-of-the-art museum like 'TIME.'
Dr. Kapoor revealed that the current survey was initiated under the auspices of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) and the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (ACSIR). To collect data on the general public's knowledge of fossils, their conservation, significance, and public priorities related to climate change, a 'questionnaire' was prepared. During the survey, a total of 150 individuals (63 women and 87 men) were interviewed in Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The survey was divided into various sections, including age, occupation, and gender.
For the convenience of the participants, a total of 16 questions were included in the questionnaire. Out of these, 8 questions required 'yes or no' responses, 6 were 'multiple choice' questions, and 2 were 'descriptive' questions. This mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions allowed for the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. One of the two descriptive questions aimed to explore the potential drawbacks of establishing the museum, while the other sought participants' suggestions on the subject matter. To gather responses, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 92 participants, and an online survey using Google Forms was administered to 58 participants. Prior to the interviews, participants were provided with background information about the organizations involved in the survey, as well as the purpose and benefits of the survey.
The survey revealed that nearly all the participants had awareness about fossil fuels, coal, oil, and non-renewable energy, but their knowledge about paleontology was limited. According to the survey, a majority of people (61%) agreed that museums like TIME can play a vital role in enhancing public knowledge, preserving India's geological heritage, and contributing to the local economy. Moreover, 65% of the participants expressed their interest in a wide range of activities at the envisioned museum, including watching science documentaries, attending lectures, exploring fossil exhibits, and shopping for souvenirs. Additionally, approximately 37% of the participants indicated a desire to delve deeper into geological principles and fossils. Enthusiastically, everyone welcomed the initiative and appeared eager to embrace and contribute to the establishment of such museums.
Participants also offered suggestions regarding 'TIME,' which included increasing the frequency of awareness and feedback surveys, conducting surveys in Hindi or the local language of the study area's residents, and implementing a nominal entry fee to generate revenue. Dr. Kapoor, who was involved in the survey, believes that government and non-government organizations, educational and research institutions, and the geology community can collectively play a significant role in raising awareness by organizing regular public events in the form of seminars, workshops, and other related activities. Furthermore, the survey could be expanded in the future, as it was initially conducted with only 150 participants. The information gathered from the survey may prove invaluable to the scientific community and policymakers as they actively work toward the development of state-of-the-art museums like 'The Indian Museum of Earth' (TIME) for the conservation of India's geological heritage."
By
Parul Datt Saxena
Credit:
A Survey of the Anticipated Role of the Indian Museum of Earth (TIME) to Foster Public Awareness towards the Preservation of Palaeontological Relics
Geoheritage (2023) 15:109 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-023-00877-y
Prachita Arora, Prashant Mohan Trivedi, Harshita Bhatia, Priya Agnihotri, Vivesh V .Kapur,
Received: 19 June 2023/Accepted: 7 September 2023 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Association for the Conservation of Geological Heritage 2023
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, 53-University Road, Lucknow 226007,
India Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India