Seriously museum..

By Maham Tanveer..

"The Foundation Stone Of The Zoological Laboratories Of The University Of Karachi Was Laid By His Majesty Dr. Muhammad Zahir Shah, King Of Afghanistan, on Wednesday 5th of February 1958" is the introductory stone at enterance, possibly placed on 5th February 1958, its condition tells. These zoological leboratories were then transformed into a museum - "when" was not told by the attendant during survey as he said that all information is carried by (ever absent) superwiser. This museum is located in Department of Zoology, with Marine Reference Collection and Research Centre at right side and Botany Department at left side.

Containers of insects are placed in the enterance pessage with labelled diagrams too. Inside, museum is divided into 3 parts with reptiles and amphibians at one side, invertebrates at other and basement carries mammals, birds and eggs. One thing I must identify is that the total beauty of museum is in its variety of species and beautiful collection of soft feathery birds to glittering butterflies, animals far from common eye to really horrible creatures of forests. The museum holds real quality of its creepiness as my friend did comment at enterance "EEewww"... Another good thing is the plastic models of organs or systems etc for better understanding.

With so much adorable collection, I am delightful to say that there is applaudable management to maintain the museum. Many glass containers are broken or forcefully held together with elfy. The containers are hazy with dirt or whatever but one would be incompetent to see the stuff inside. Some bottoms are also broken.

There is cleanliness issue too. The vases are used as dustbins with even betel-leaf spittles. The unfortunate crocodile's mouth contains wrappers of Tulsi, Panpasand, Century etc. I am doubtful if the dead and preserved crocodile loves betel-nuts or it might be done by those mischeivious spiders living in corners of walls :P

There is problem of insufficient lighting too. I would appreciate it if they have done it for the sake of "Save Electricity Scheme" as I have not seen the practicality of this scheme anywhere else in KU. Another problem is of absent name cards but..... hats off to all management team.

And now comes the most stunning problem - the security issue. The big whale jaw of about nine or ten feet is standing with support of wall and other head bones are placed in succession. We comfortably entered the office as there was no one to stop us and _____ and keys of locked shelves were "very safely" placed on the office table. Anyone is able to damage the museum property or even carry away anything in bags. There is a store type of place too where chemicals are placed unlocked - many must be very expensive - again anyone can steal them.

I think this is the duty of Zoology students to appeal for better management or voluntarily work for maintaining the museum but I am doubtful that they even visit these so called laboratories. They have a precious property __ if they care!!!!