Gass Forest Museum, Forestry museum in Coimbatore, India
Gass Forest Museum is a natural history museum in Coimbatore that displays over 4000 specimens across multiple scientific fields. The red stone building houses preserved wildlife, insects, geological samples, and crafted objects in organized sections.
The museum was founded in 1902 by H.A. Gass, the Conservator of Forests for the region, making it India's first institution dedicated to forestry collections. It grew from an early commitment to documenting the area's natural resources and forest knowledge.
The ethnology section displays traditional hunting equipment from local tribal communities, including handcrafted spears and tools that reflect regional hunting methods and ways of life. These objects come from people who have lived and worked in the surrounding forests for generations.
The museum opens on weekdays from morning until late afternoon and offers an overview of various scientific collections. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and plan enough time to walk through the different display sections.
Among the exhibits is a rare sandalwood trunk, a large piece of natural wood that shows the valuable materials found in local forests. Another notable specimen is a preserved bird with unusual light coloring that attracts visitor attention.
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