In news
Recently, the Bombay Natural History Society has involved itself in conducting Asian Waterbird Census-2021
About the Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS)
- It was founded on 15 September 1883
- BNHS is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity research.
- Its primary goal is to spread awareness about nature through science-based research, conservation advocacy, education, scientific publications, nature tours and other programmes.
- It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.
- Many prominent naturalists, including the ornithologists Sálim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley, have been associated with it.
Origin of BNHS
In 1883, eight nature-loving residents of Bombay decided to exchange notes and exhibit interesting specimens of natural history. They came together at Bombay’s Victoria and Albert Museum on September 15 and constituted the Bombay Natural History Society. Of them, two were Indians.
- Dr. D. MacDonald
- Mr. E. H. Aitken
- Col. C Swinhoe
- Mr. J. C. Anderson
- Mr. J Johnston
- Dr. Atmaram Pandurang
- Dr. G A Maconochie
- Dr. Sakharam Arjun
Activities of BNHS
- Conservation Research, that includes species research, landscape research, and seascale research
- Conservation Action
- Conservation Education
Various initiatives of BNHS
National Dragonflies festival:
- It was started in 2018 in order to inform the public about the integral role played by dragonflies in our environment.
- The society has been organising the festival since then in association with WWF India, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and National Biodiversity Board of India.
- The local events which are the part of this nationwide festival are also organised by WWF India in association with various state agencies.
- For example, “Thumbi Mahotsavam” is a state butterfly festival of Kerala which is organised as a part of National Dragonfly festival
Asian waterbird census :
- It is an annual exercise undertaken in India by Bombay Natural History Society in association with Wetland International, in which enthusiastic birdwatchers count the birds by observing them near their respective breeding grounds.
- The exercise is a part of ‘International waterbird census’, an international exercise.
- It also aims to create awareness regarding bird species as well as health of the wetlands, which are facing severe threat amidst anthropogenic disturbance.
- Asian waterbird census is conducted in the month of January every year
Source: The Hindu & BNHS
