Gass Forest Museum - Tamilnadu
The Gass Forest Museum, located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu is a government-run natural history museum. Named after the eminent British forester and botanist, Dr. Horace Archibald Gass, the museum offers visitors an insightful journey into the world of forests, trees, wildlife, and environmental conservation.
This natural history museum is said to be the first institution in India to house exhibits related to forestry. It is situated inside the premises of the Forest College Campus in Coimbatore.
The Gass Forest Museum plays a crucial role in promoting environmental awareness and conservation. It emphasizes the importance of preserving forests, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity for future generations. This amazing museum houses an intriguing collection of rare artefacts including wooden artefacts, preserved plant specimens, insect specimens, and more which offers valuable insights into the various flora and fauna found in forests. One of the highlights of the Gass Forest Museum is the collection of taxidermied animals and birds. These lifelike representations fascinates visitors and offers them a close encounter with different species, enhancing their understanding of wildlife diversity.
Among the unique artefacts in the museum, the most attention-grabbing exhibits here includes a full-grown male stuffed Indian guar which was gifted to the museum in 1956 by Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, the last Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore, a stuffed albino crow, a captivating taxidermy display depicting a Brahminy kite capturing a chick, and a piece of an asteroid that is estimated to be several million years old. Gass Forest Museum ought to be on your list of must-see attractions in Coimbatore if you are a person who love nature and wildlife.
Timing:
9 AM to 1 PM & 2 PM to 5 PM. Closed on Saturday and Sunday and all Central Government Holidays.
Entrance Fee:
For Indians - INR 40 per adult & INR 20 per child. For Foreigners - INR 200.
Ways to Reach Gass Forest Museum:
By Air: Coimbatore International Airport, about 12.8 Km away from the museum.
By Rail: Coimbatore Junction Railway Station, 3.7 Km away. From the railway station, you can avail of public transport or get a cab/ taxi to reach the museum.
By Road: Coimbatore is well-connected by road to nearby cities and states. You can use private vehicles, public transport, hire taxis or an auto-rickshaw to reach the museum.