Dr. Salim Ali Biography & Amazing Facts : Bird Man of India

Dr. Salim Ali

Salim Ali was a Indian Ornithologist & Naturalist He was became the first Indian Man to Conduct Systematic Survey on Birds and wrote many several books on birds later He became the Key Figure of Behind of Bombay Natural History Society after 1947. Salim Ali Popularly Know as ” The Bird Man of India “.

Dr. Salim Ali influence to Government support for organisation & Established the Bhartpur bird sanctuary in 1956 ( It is official declared in 1981 as Keoladeo National Park ) and prevent the destruction of silent Valley National Park .

He Was Awarded with Padma Bhushan ( The Third High Civilian Honour Award ) in 1958 and Awarded with Padma Vibhushan ( The Second High Civilian Honour Award ) in 1976.

In 1967 He became the first Non – British citizen to received Gold Medal of the British Ornithologist’s Union.

Several institutions and bird sanctuaries yard named after him.(*Find the list below)

Early Life

Salim Ali Full Name is “Salim Ali Moizuddin Abdul” was born on 12 November 1896 into Sulaimani Bohra family He was the ninth young child of Moizuddin Abdul . Salim Ali father was died when he was a year ago child & Her Mother Zeenat-un-nissa is died when he was Three – Year Child .

After this tragedy His Maternal Uncle Amiruddin Tyabji & Aunt Hamida Begam Take care of Salim Ali and all child, he was brought up in Middle class family in Khetwadi , Mumbai. In early age Salim Ali was interested in books of Hunting in India and Later He was gain his interest in Sport-Shooting he was encouraged by foster father Amiruddin.

Shooting Contents are often held in neighborhood where he grew and included his friend Iskandar Mirza ,a distant cousin who was good in sprot -shooting later in his life become the First President of Pakistan.

one day salim Ali shot a Sparrow which had a yellow streak below of its neck.His Uncle ( Amiruddin ) was a member of BNHS directed him and went off for Bird Identification to BNHS there a Honorary Seceratry W.S Milliard ,The Bird Identified as Yellow – Throated Sparrow and showed him to society amazing collection of stuffed birds.

After this incident Dr. Salim Ali gain his interest in this filed and pursue his career in Ornithology.

The Journey of Burma and Germany

Burma (*Burma is now Myanmar)

Salim Ali dropped out of college because of poor health and lack of interest in formal studies, He went to Burma to look after his family business like mining and timber.

The Forest Surrounding area of Burma make opportunity for Ali to gain a knowledge about naturalist and Hunting skills .He came back to India in 1917 and continued his formal studies in Commercial Law and Accountancy at Davar’s college but later his true interest noticed by father Ethelbert Blatter at St. Xavier’s college who convinced to salim to study the Zoology . After Attending the morning class of Davar’s college then he began to attend the zoology classes at St. Xavier’s college , He was able to complete the course in zoology Meanwhile he Met Tehmina who is a distant relative and married with her in 1918.

In the Era of 1919 there are no job related to Natural History , Many years Ali faced unemployment during the early of his career.

Note : ” Burma is now official is Myanmar “.

Germany

Ali was failed to get a job of ornithologist Position which was open at zoological survey of India due to lack of formal institution degree He was unable to got the job. later in 1926 he was hired as guide lecturer at newly opened natural history section in the Prince of Wales museum in Bombay with the salary of 350 rupees per month.

after two year he was tired of the job as Guide Lecturer and he quit the job and went to Germany for studies.

In Germany He work under the Professor of Erwin Stresemann at the Berlin’s Natural History Museum , Meanwhile of the work Ali Studying the specimens which collected by J.K Stanford in Burma. Stanford being member of BNHS Communicated to Claud Ticehurst he could work on his own assistance from BNHS. Ticehurst didn’t appreciate the idea of an Indian being Involving in work and even more resented the involvement of Stresemann, a German.

Ticehurst wrote a letter to BNHS suggesting the idea of collaborating Stresemann was insult to Stanford. However Reginald Spence and Parter encouraged to Ali conduct the study at berlin with the assistance of Stresemann. In The Autobiography of Salim He calls “ Guru ” to Stresemann who encouraged him and solved the all queries. He also write in Berlin he met many ornithologist and gained the experience in Bird banding or Bird Ringing at Heligoland bird observatory and in 1959 he received the assistance of Swiss Ornithologist Alfred Schifferli in India.

Career in Ornithology

Ornithology Define the ” It is considered the Zoology which specifically studies about Birds“.

In 1930 he came back to India , Unbale to find the suitable job Salim Ali and his Wife Tehmina moved to kihim, a coastal village near of Mumbai. Here he had opportunity to study about birds – The Breeding of Baya Weaver and understanding of Mating System of sequential hermaphroditism.

Later Salim Ali Admired and wrote about Mughal Naturalist in three part series.

Later he discovered the Opportunity of Conduct to Systematic Bird Survey in the princely States of Hyderabad, Cochin, Gwalior ,Indore and Bhopal with the Sponsorship of ruler. In this survey Salim Ali supported by Hugh Whistler who had surveyed many part of India and carry a important note and observation in the survey .

In 1929, Whistler published the book The Study of Indian Birds. In this book, he mentioned several observations regarding birds. Salim Ali pointed out some incorrect observations and wrote a letter to Whistler about them. Whistler was initially resentful and called Salim “snooty”. However, after re-examining the points, Whistler realized that Salim was correct, and the two later became good friends.

In 1939 Salim Ali’s wife Tehmina Died, Her Death was major turning point for Salim Ali , After her passing Salim Ali fully Dedicated himself to study of bird and Ornithology.

Salim Ali books

Dr. Salim Ali also wrote a several of books “The Book of Indian Birds” in 1941 was inspired by Hugh Whistler’s Popular Handbook of Indian Birds; his true masterpiece was the 10 volume “Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan” The ten volumes Series were published over a seven-year period, from 1968 to 1975, written with Dillon Ripley The first published of this book in 1968. In addition to this national and international work, Ali also wrote several regional field guides, including The Birds of Kerala (first published as The Birds of Travancore and Cochin in 1953), The Birds of Sikkim, The Birds of Kutch (later revised as The Birds of Gujarat), Indian Hill Birds, and Field Guide to the Birds of the Eastern Himalayas. He also wrote his autobiography, “The Fall of a Sparrow” in 1985, where he shared his life experiences, his vision for the Bombay Natural History Society, and the importance of conservation efforts.

Prevent of silent valley national park

In the 1970s, the Kerala Government proposed a project to build a hydroelectric dam across the Kunthipuzha River in the Silent Valley, western ghat’s.

Salim Ali played a key role in preventing the destruction of Silent Valley Park. He used his personal influence and raised awareness about the ecological importance of Silent Valley. He wrote letters to the Government of India and the Kerala Government, emphasizing the forest’s unique biodiversity. Salim Ali also collaborated with scientists and organizations like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and helped support public campaigns and environmental movements across India to protect the valley. Later, in 1980, the dam project was abandoned, and in 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared that Silent Valley would be protected and officially designated it as Silent Valley National Park.

Salim Ali Education

Salim Ali went to Primary School Zenana Bible and Medical Mission Girls High School with his two sister later he moved to St. Xavier’s College, Bombay at the age of ( Approx. 13 to 15 ) .

Frequently He drop out the class due to he suffered from Headache ,He was sent to sind with his uncle who suggested the dry air help to recover him ,Barely he pass his matriculation exam from Bombay university in 1913.

He came back to India in 1917 from Burma and continued his formal studies in Commercial Law and Accountancy at Davar’s college . While Simultaneously he completed his degree in Zoology from St. Xavier’s college .

Salim Ali Awards & Achievements

• Salim Ali was awarded with Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 1958.
• Salim Ali was awarded with Padma Vibhushan by Government of India in 1976.
• Salim Ali was awarded with Joy Gobinda Law Memorial Medal by Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1953.
• Salim Ali was awarded with Sunder Lala Hora Medal by Indian National Science Academy in 1970.
• He received Honorary Doctorate from the Aligarh Muslim University in 1958 , Delhi University in 1973, Andhra University in 1978 .
• He became the first non – British citizen to received Gold Medal of the British Ornithologist’s Union in 1967.
• He was nominated as Rajya Sabha Member in 1985.
• A Setenant stamp featuring of Dr. Salim Ali was released on 12 November 1996, to commemorate his birth centenary. This set of two stamps was issued by India and celebrates the ornithologist, conservationist, and “Birdman of India“. 

Death

Dr. Salim Ali died on 20 June 1987 at the age of 90 due to prostate cancer.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuaries and Institution Named After Dr. Salim Ali

• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary ( Goa ) – Located on Chorao Island Mandovi River.
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary ( Thattekkad, Kerala)-This Sanctuary also know as ” Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary ” This is first bird sanctuary in Kerala , The Bird Sanctuary Salim Ali Survey by himself.
• Salim Ali Lake and Bird Sanctuary ( Arungabad , Maharastra ) – The Beautiful lake are Developed as a bird sanctuary to honour him.
• Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History ( SACON), Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu – A Premiere and National Institution for Bird and Nature Research Center , Established for Salim Ali Memory in 1990.

Facts About Salim Ali

• Salim Autobiography’s Titled is ” The Fall of Sparrow ” This Autobiography was Published in 1985.
• Actor Akhasy Kumar play the role of “ Pakshi Ranjan ” in Bollywood Film- Robot 2.0 The Character inspired by ‘” Dr. Salim Ali “.
• Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History ( SACON), Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu – A Premiere and National Institution for Bird and Nature Research Center , Established for Salim Ali Memory in 1990.
• He became the first non – British citizen to received Gold Medal of the British Ornithologist’s Union.
• Dr. Salim Ali was awarded with Padma Bhushan & Padma Vibhushan by Government of India in 1958 & 1976 (respectively).

Conclusion

In this article, I have tried to explain all the important aspects of Salim Ali’s life-from his childhood and education to his inspiring journey of becoming the “Birdman of India“. His dedication, passion, and lifelong work in ornithology not only expanded our knowledge of Indian birds but also inspired generations to love and protect nature. I hope this article helps students understand and appreciate the remarkable life and contributions of Dr. Salim Ali.

Resources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salim_Ali#
• https://www.sacon.in/salim-ali-profile/
• https://kidskonnect.com/science/salim-ali/

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