Museum Directorate at Hetauda under the Agriculture & Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal to facilitate teaching, research and extension activities in forestry related disciplines. In accordance with Government of Nepal and the Government of India signed an agreement on August 8th, 1985 for the establishment of the Museum, Library cum Documentation Complex whereby India committed to give a grant of IRs. 2.60 crore under the bilateral economic cooperation program for the construction of the building. The building complex of 4700 sq. m. carpet area was constructed consisting 15 blocks on two levels built at the cost of about IRs. 2.60 crore. It has 18 different sections including the ground floor and the first floor. Furthermore, the Government of India provided additional financial support of IRs.8 million and the Government of Nepal provided IRs. 2 million for the Museum exhibits, books and equipments. Required exhibits are already installed in the respective sections. The support of GOI since the 1950s from establishing the faculty to upgrade, it has added luster and dynamism to the Forestry program of Agriculture and Forestry University. It is another shining milestone in the economic cooperation between the two countries.

Mission

To facilitate teaching and extension activities by supporting research activities and uplift the academic programs in forestry, Natural Resource Management & Environmental fields.

Objective

• To promote teaching and strengthen research in forestry and environmental sectors
• To empower rural population by making them aware about sustainable development of natural resources and their benefits
• To mobilize rural masses about sustainable development of natural resources through collection and dissemination of information

A brief description about Museum

The Museum & Library Complex was initiated during November 1985 with the concept to reflect the new and emerging thinking on Forestry and Environmental disciplines.

Ground Floor

General Section

This arterial section entirely depicts overall presentation with modules, pictures, photographs, maps/charts about environmental problems & measures taken to solve them have been mounted on the walls and presented on around 1140 panel boards.

Harvesting Operation & Logging

This block of floor area 160 sq. m. shows different methods of felling trees, hauling and transportation system in different topographical regions of Nepal.

Forest Management System

This block shows indigenous and traditional management systems applied for different types of forest. It also shows preventive measures taken on flood occurring in plain areas.

Minor Forest Product

Presently called Non-Timber Forest Products, this section shows around 200 species and different articles other than timber which are important from economic point of view such as medicinal plants, resins, fibers, etc.

Social Forestry

This block of 160 sq. m. well equipped with both side glass exhibits, and shows recent trends in the forestry management involving communities in forestry activities & managing forest for social benefits.

Entomology

This section shows around 65 different species of insects attacking plants & remedial measures to prevent them.

Utilization

This block shows 50 various species of wood from different regions and different uses of timber and other forest products i.e. how timber is used in daily life and its role in engineering and other fields.

Fish & Birds of Nepal

This unit comprises a collection indigenous birds & fishes of Nepal. There are around 90 specimens of birds shown for hill to low altitude areas and kept in 12 racks.

Wildlife and National Park

This block is well equipped with double side glass exhibit boards showing the National Parks, sanctuaries in Nepal. Visitors can see three ecosystems: Himalayas, Tropical Forest and Wetland ecosystem.

Audio Visual

This is a small auditorium with a 75 viewer capacity where short films, transparencies can be shown to students and visitors. This section is well equipped with the facilities of movie camera, digital camera, multimedia projector, slide projector.

First Floor

Pathology

This part clearly displays the identification of around 50 species of different diseases, which infect forest trees and vegetation and measures to control their infections.

Energy

This section depicts conventional and unconventional energy sources and their importance in day to day life through some models like solar cooker, windmill, solar drier, solar lamp, improved chulo & so others.

Herbarium

This unit is a storehouse for plant specimens (herbs, shrubs, trees) of Nepal and other countries and comprise around 1000 species. Equipped with 41 herbarium boxes and separate and cabins for officers, this also has sofa sets to facilitate sitting for working students.

Data Bank & Fossil corner

Its purpose is to keep fossils of plants and animals after collection and also maintains their records.

Seed Museum

This section depicts around 400 species of seeds of different forest species. There are seed index cabinet, Seed germination chamber, seed collection equipments and a revolving drum displaying different information about seed collection and germination.

Newspapers & Magazines

Newspapers & Magazines are displayed in this section, having a seating capacity of 14 equipped with reading table, magazine stands and newspaper stands.

Documentation

This section comprises of 4 separate chambers for officers & a large hall of 160 sq. m. furnished with reading tables, index cabinets, file cabinets, book trolley. Book almirah, are meant for keeping the records i.e. life history uses, pests & diseases & all necessary information regarding flora & fauna of Nepal.

Library

The library block has three different wings. The library collections emphasize forestry and natural resource management, basic sciences, agriculture. It has a good collection of documents, project papers, Masters & PhD thesis, research reports and scholarly articles. This library block is divided into three different wings:

Library-I: It has a seating capacity of 128. (This sections for general students, and equipped with steel book racks, reading table, index cabinet & steel book cases)

Library-II: It has a seating capacity of 53. (This wing consists of fixed type single arrangement for research & studies.)

Library-III: It has a seating capacity of 34. (This is especially for teaching faculties and researchers.)