Forest and wildlife captured on canvas

Tirupati: To create awareness among the public and pilgrims visiting Tirumala about Seshachala forest spread over 5,000 square kilometres in Rayalaseema region including Tirupati, the AP Forest department recently inaugurated the museum by name ‘Vanadarshini’ at 7th mile of Tirumala pathway near deer park here.

The museum has been drawing attention of locals and pilgrims. The speciality of the museum is that it was set up at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level in the deep forest.

The main purpose of the starting the museum was to showcase the rich flora and fauna of Seshachala forest through photographs and models with detailed information. Officials of the Tirupati Wildlife Management Division have divided the museum into five galleries.

A gallery depicting the history of Tirumala and its archaeological importance and another gallery has information about Sri Venkateswara National Park and Seshachala forest.

An exclusive gallery was set up for sacred theerthams and information about waterfalls. One more gallery explains the importance of conserving red sanders trees and protection of endangered species in reserve forest. A special gallery was dedicated to flora and fauna of Seshachala forest.

In all, a visitor can get details of 400 variety of plant species in the museum. Those, who have visited the museum are saying it was a visual treat. Speaking to The Hans India, Divisional Forest Officer (Tirupati Wildlife Circle) Nagarjuna Reddy said the museum was set up to draw the attention of pilgrims for conservation of biota (flora and fauna) of Seshachala forest.

Pilgrims visiting the museum is increasing day-by-day, he mentioned. The DFO stated Rs 5 would be charged as an entry fee from July first onwards and ticket money would be used for maintenance of museum. Palaniswamy, a pilgrim from Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu state, said that his family enjoyed the visit to museum.