Shortage of funds: Elephant, whale shark displays yet to be put up
1.1 million rupees needed to set up both displays.
“We are facing shortage of funds to execute both the projects as the previous government slashed the museum’s budget by 20 per cent,” says Museum Director.
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) has been facing a funds shortage which has left it unable to put the skeletons of two animals on display at the museum.
The animals are Saheli, a female elephant which died at Marghazar Zoo, and a whale shark found beached at the Karachi shore.
The skeletons of both the animals as well as the stuffed body of the elephant were scheduled to be displayed at the museum in June, as the tanning period is almost over.
“We are facing shortage of funds to execute both the projects as the previous government slashed the museum’s budget by 20 per cent,” Museum Director Dr Rafiq said.
He said that the administration has been searching for any other organisation willing to provide funds for the early execution of the project, because people of the twin cities were anxious to see the new displays. He said that the displays would add to the attractions available in the federal capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.
The Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) has been facing a funds shortage which has left it unable to put the skeletons of two animals on display at the museum.
The animals are Saheli, a female elephant which died at Marghazar Zoo, and a whale shark found beached at the Karachi shore.
The skeletons of both the animals as well as the stuffed body of the elephant were scheduled to be displayed at the museum in June, as the tanning period is almost over.
“We are facing shortage of funds to execute both the projects as the previous government slashed the museum’s budget by 20 per cent,” Museum Director Dr Rafiq said.
He said that the administration has been searching for any other organisation willing to provide funds for the early execution of the project, because people of the twin cities were anxious to see the new displays. He said that the displays would add to the attractions available in the federal capital.
“We are in talks with Unesco to provide funds for both projects. The display of the shark’s skeleton will cost around Rs700,000 million while that of the elephant will require Rs400,000 million,” Dr Rafiq said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2013.