Morni Fort is a nature museum and learning centre[1] situated in Morni Village, about 32 km from Panchkula City in the Panchkula district in Indian state of Haryana. The 200 years old Morni fort[2] in Morni hills was transformed into a museum at a cost of over INR 1 crore.[citation needed]
 Entry Gate view of Morni Fort (Panchkula district, Haryana, India) | |
| Location | Morni, Panchkula district, Haryana,  India |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Haryana Government |
| Key holdings | Flora and fauna, bird gallery & projections about environment challenges |
| Architect | By Harvansh Dua |
| Nearest parking | Morni Fort parking |
Inauguration
editIt was inaugurated on 13 November 2017[1] by Rao Narbir Singh[2] who is Forests and Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister, Haryana. The Haryana Government gave the contract to a company that runs a NGO-Prakriti.[2]
History
editThe Morni fort has four towers. The inside of the fort was improved in 1814 during the time when the King of Sirmur came to the fort to hide after he was overthrown from Nahan by Gurkhas.[3] The fort remains cool during summers because of its well ventilated domes. The fort also has a well/reservoir.[citation needed]
About the museum
editThe layout and design of the museum has been created by Harvansh Dua. It has dozens of figures of wildlife, wall murals, domes, caves and 3D artwork[2] which took around 8 months to complete. The fort was converted to a museum by the Forests Department of Haryana in FY 2017-18. It has photographs of the fort, photographs related to environment protection and those of animals and birds which are on a verge of extinction.[3]
Virtual tour
edit"There were three rooms and four attaris (enclosures of 15x12 sq feet) to be done up. We dedicated one room to flora and fauna and the attari behind it showcases animals in their natural habitat. A washroom was converted into a tiger's den with a bird gallery alongside.The second room displays the projects undertaken by Haryana forest department to conserve forest and wildlife such as agro forestry and vulture breeding The third room gives a peep into the environment challenges such as population explosion, forest fires, degradation, acid rain and degeneration of natural habitat," said by Dua.[4]
Gallery
edit-
Exterior view -
Nature conservation room Morni -
Room view of Morni fort. -
Different rooms view of Morni fort -
Wall crafting on Morni fort.
Futuristic appeal
editMuseum has been designed in such a way that it will attract people of all age groups but the focus is mainly on educating youth about the history of unknown places in this area.[4]
Highlights
edit- The newly constructed Nature Museum cum learning Centre has been developed as a centre for carrying out study on nature.[1]
- The Morni Fort with its stonework was built around in the 17th century on the top of the Morni hill at a height of approximately 1200 meters[3]
- There is a Shiva temple outside the Eastern Gate[3]
- The fort is visible from 4–5 km from Morni Town due to being at hilltop, while going from Panchkula road to Badiyal road
Tour duration
editTotal duration of tour inside museum took around 1h 30 min,[5] Mon - Sun (09:00 AM to 05:00 PM)
References
edit- ^ a b c Pioneer, The. "Nature Museum cum learning Centre opened at Morni Fort". The Pioneer. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Bishnoi, Arvind (15 November 2017). "Haryana's first nature museum in 200-year-old fort". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Veeta (27 October 2011). "Morni Fort: The Golden Bastions". Morni Hills. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ a b Singh, Preet Onkar (19 January 2018). "Nature's treasure trove". India Today. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ "Morni fort duration". inspirock.com. Retrieved 16 April 2020.