Pimpri Chinchwad, 20th February 2026: A major scientific infrastructure project dedicated to biodiversity research and conservation is set to take shape in the city, with the foundation stone ceremony for a new zoological facility scheduled for February 21 at 11 a.m. The event will be led by Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the Zoological Survey of India.
The upcoming complex тАФ comprising a Zoological Collection Centre, museum, and auditorium тАФ will be built at the institutionтАЩs Western Regional campus in Akurdi. Officials say the facility is designed as an advanced repository and research hub focused on studying and conserving fauna from the ecologically significant Western Ghats.
Once completed, the centre is expected to house more than one million preserved animal specimens representing diverse groups such as insects, molluscs, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The collection will support taxonomic and systematic research, enable scientific identification of species, and provide reference material for biodiversity assessments and conservation planning.
Authorities said the institution will also function as an educational and public outreach space, allowing students, researchers, and visitors to engage with curated exhibits and scientific resources. Plans include building a digital database to improve global access to specimen records and research data.
Recognised as one of the worldтАЩs most biologically rich regions, the Western Ghats host a large number of endemic and threatened species. Officials believe the new centre in Pune will strengthen long-term documentation efforts, support evidence-based conservation strategies, and foster collaboration with research organisations in India and abroad.
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