Museum Address
Zoological Survey of India, NERC, Fruit Garden, Risa Colony
Museum website
zsi.gov.in
Are there any docents or guides who visitors can directly call to book for a guided tour?
No
When was the museum established?
1959
Briefly describe the history of the museum, its collection and donors.
The Museum of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Shillong is located in the fruit gardens of Risa Colony. The ZSI was established in 1916. In 1959, it became the first regional zoological centre for the entire Northeast, excluding Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The museum is government funded and offers a range of zoological exhibits and reconstructions including those of hollock gibbons, golden langurs, peacocks and a python’s skeleton. Apart from these, it also boasts a wide array of bird and butterfly specimens indigenous to the area. These include some of the rarest species found in the north-eastern region of India. The samples are collected by the institute's scientists and researchers during field visits. The museum houses a rare collection of flora and fauna with the aim of describing the various faunal aspects of the region, and provides a visual representation of the diverse species found here. There are several educational exhibits that depict an evolutionary narrative, as exemplified by the models of apes swinging over artificial trees next to their less-evolved cousins. This forms the first and most striking visual aspect of the museum. The institute itself is concerned with the identification and study of specimens, dealing primarily with systematics and taxonomy. The museum is open to all and conducts guided tours and workshops for students and academic researchers. It also provides library services for research and study.
Workshops/seminars/lectures
Yes
Library and archives services
Yes
IT facilities ( Photocopying, printing, computer )
No
Conference/ Seminar hall
No
Who manages the museum?
Central Government
Person-in-charge of the museum
Other
Reference Link
Bhaskar Saikia, zoologist and museum caretaker, Zoological Survey of India, Shillong
What is the average duration to see the museum?
less than 1 hour
Map your museum’s correct location on the map given below.
Is the museum currently closed?
No
Image for museum exterior/building
Gallery Images
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Indian hornbill.
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The butterfly collection housed in the museum
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Skeletons and skulls of various indigenous animals
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The skeleton of an Indian cobra
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Various preserved animals and birds
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Interior architecture and exhibits in the museum
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A collection of preserved birds
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The head of an Indian gaur
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Interior architecture and preserved specimens
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A glimpse of the museum's butterfly collection
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A preserved Indian peacock
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The preserved head of a herbivorous mammal
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A model of an Indian python
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Apes and monkeys in a glass exhibit
Getting there
Fruit Garden, Risa Colony. Taxis are available up to Dhankheti, Laitumkhrah.
The closest landmark is Dylan’s Café, a ten-minute walk away.
Opening Days
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
The best time of the day to visit the museum?
The best time to visit is any time between 9 am and 5 pm since the museum is largely unknown and footfall is extremely low. Lunch break is from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.
Interesting things about the Museum
The python skeleton is the most eye-catching exhibit. The collection of birds and butterflies are also interesting in their own right.
Most uninteresting aspect of the museum
The museum lacks any interactive services and a proper computerised inventory of artefacts.
d. Cleanliness and Hygiene
Great
a. Helpfulness (guides, guards, curator, director)
Above average
b. Approachability (curator, director)
Above average
c. Washrooms
Above average
Name of Museum Surveyor
Arpit Nayak
