Who is Salim Ali: Bird man of India?
Answers
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India.
In detail-
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali (12 November 1896 – 20 June 1987)was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India. He became a key figure behind the Bombay Natural History Society after 1947 and used his personal influence to garner government support for the organisation, create the Bharatpur bird sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) and prevent the destruction of what is now the Silent Valley National Park. Along with Sidney Dillon Ripley he wrote the landmark ten volume Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan, a second edition of which was completed after his death. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1958 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1976, India's third and second highest civilian honours respectively.Several species of birds, a couple of bird sanctuaries and institutions have been named after him.
Salim Ali held many views that were contrary to the mainstream ideas of his time. A question he was asked frequently in later life was on the contradiction between the collection of bird specimens and his conservation related activism. Although once a fan of shikar (hunting) literature, Ali held strong views against sport hunting but upheld the collection of bird specimens for scientific study.He held the view that the practice of wildlife conservation needed to be practical and not grounded in philosophies like ahimsa. Salim Ali suggested that this fundamental religious sentiment had hindered the growth of bird study in India.
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Explanation:
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India. Wikipedia
Born: 12 November 1896, Mumbai
Died: 20 June 1987, Mumbai
Full name: Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali
Awards: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan
Education: St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Queen Mary School