The Fossil and Climate Change Museum at the Wadi al-Hitan world heritage site has opened. The museum, located in Fayoum’s Wadi al-Rayan, is the joint effort of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, the Italian government which has financed the museum to the tune of some 2 billion Euros, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through the museum, all three parties hope to raise awareness and educate the public about climate change, including methods to mitigate its effects on the planet.
The opening ceremony took place on Thursday 14 January in the presence of various government officials.
According to the UNDP, the new museum features a “unique collection” of fossils, including the largest intact Basilosaurus isis whale fossil.
The museum comes “within a collective set of actions being implemented to support the conservation of protected areas, promote eco-tourism, and sustainable development,” in addition to the sustainable use of natural resources to protect the environment.
Watani International
17 January 2016