Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: The Mumbai-headquartered Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has planned a series of initiatives for the Maharashtra Government’s Bird Week which includes the display of personal belongings of Dr Salim Ali, the legendary ‘Birdman of India.’ The Bird Week is celebrated between November 5-12 every year as part of the larger goal of conservation of nature. November 5 marks the birthday of Maruti Chitampalli, eminent ornithologist of India, and November 12 which is the birth anniversary of Dr Ali.
BNHS has decided to honour his legacy by screening documentary films and interviews about his life and works and by displaying a collection of his personal belongings, including letters, diaries, field notes, typewriters, cameras, binoculars, passports, and awards.
The archival initiative aims to preserve the invaluable contribution of Dr Ali to the field of ornithology and natural history. The exhibition will be held at BNHS Hornbill House at Colaba every day between 10 am and 5 pm.
Bird Week is not just a celebration of avian diversity; it is a tribute to remarkable individuals like Chitampalli and Dr Ali, whose passion for birds has left an indelible mark on the field of ornithology.
Through this weeklong event which will include activities like bird counts and birdwatching, BNHS aims to create awareness about diverse bird species in the ecosystem, emphasising the importance of their conservation and inspire people of all ages to appreciate, conserve, and protect our feathered friends and their habitats. A series of online webinars will also be organised in collaboration with Maharashtra Pakshimitra.
