Salim
Moizuddin Abdul Ali, who passed away on 20 June 1987, aged 90, 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 National 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, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, Salim Ali’s dwarf gecko, a couple of
bird sanctuaries and institutions have been named after him.
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