Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali

Born: 12 November 1896

Died: 20 June 1987

• He was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist.
• Sometimes referred to as the “birdman of India“, Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularised 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.

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