Pakistan Museum of Natural History:

Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) located at Garden Avenue , Shakar Parian, Islamabad was established in 1976 under the patronage of Pakistan Science Foundation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan. It has four main divisions namely Botanical Sciences Division, Zoological Sciences Division, Earth Sciences Division and Public Services Division. The first three divisions are engaged in the collection, identification and other research activities pertaining to plant, animal and mineral resources of Pakistan respectively, while the fourth one is responsible for public education and awareness.

The scientists at the Pakistan Museum of Natural History are actively engaged in research activities and have contributed significantly in their areas of interest. They have been able to publish 11 books and 350 research papers in national (230) and international (120) journals of repute. They have presented their research findings in 147 conferences and have written 50 technical reports. They have investigated, collected, identified and catalogued 716 mammals, 715 birds, 2,200 reptiles, 1,200 amphibians, 25,000 fish, 90,000 insects and 9,800 other invertebrates, 48,000 higher plants, 41,000 fungi, 3,000 algae and bryophytes, 7,500 rocks, 1,000 minerals, 500 gemstones and 14,000 fossils.

The Pakistan Museum of Natural History has International Collaboration with 8 countries and 20 institutions, which are National Science Museum , Tokyo , Japan , Monobusho International Scientific Research Programme, Japan , Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, Japan, Aichi Cancer Research Institute, Nagoya , Japan , Institute of Systematic Botany , University of Nepoli , Italy , Florida State Museum , University of Florida, USA, Department of Geo-Science, University of Arizona, USA, University of Florida Gainesville, USA, Department of Anatomy, North-eastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Ohio, USA. Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, USA, Harvard University, Department of Anthropology, Peabody Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Eidenossische Technische Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, Museum Alexander Koenig, Germany, Palaeontology Department, ISEM, Institute de Sciences de L'Evolution, Universities Montpellier II, France, ISTEEM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France, Department of Earth Sciences and Oceanography University of Southampton, U.K., Oxford University Museum, Oxford, U.K., Department of Botany, Cambridge University, U.K., University of Granada, Spain.

At the national level, PMNH maintains close collaboration with over 30 organizations including Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, 10 Universities, Forest and Wildlife Departments, PFI, PARC, NMST, Lahore and Marine Fisheries Department-Karachi.

Objectives:

The main objectives of the establishment of the museum are to investigate, collect, identify and catalogue the natural history specimens through field studies for developing a national repository of plants, animals, rocks, minerals and fossils, to publish research articles, books, field guides, monographs, popular lectures, technical reports, brochures, pamphlets etc for the promotion of scientific research and public awareness, to display results of research and field investigations in the form of exhibits, dioramas and prepare documentaries to educate the masses about our natural resources and related issues, to establish collaboration with national and international research and academic organizations for sharing of knowledge and expertise, to render identification services to researchers/organizations from within and outside the country, to advise the government on all issues related to biodiversity, conservation, environment, wild life and ecology.