Dr. Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was born on November 12, 1896, in Bombay. Captivated as a child by an unusual yellow-throated sparrow, Salim Ali dedicated his life to studying the avian fauna of the subcontinent. He became the first naturalist to conduct comprehensive bird surveys across British India, transforming the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) into a world-class conservation institute. His monumental 10-volume masterwork, 'Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan' (co-authored with S. Dillon Ripley), and his accessible guide 'The Book of Indian Birds' inspired generations of birdwatchers. Ali's passionate ecological advocacy directly saved the Silent Valley rainforest in Kerala from hydroelectric destruction and established the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1976, his birthday on November 12 is celebrated nationwide to protect endangered avian species and fragile wetland ecosystems.
Dr. Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was born on November 12, 1896, in Bombay. Captivated as a child by an unusual yellow-throated sparrow, Salim Ali dedicated his life to studying the avian fauna of the subcontinent. He became the first naturalist to conduct comprehensive bird surveys across British India, transforming the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) into a world-class conservation institute. His monumental 10-volume masterwork, 'Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan' (co-authored with S. Dillon Ripley), and his accessible guide 'The Book of Indian Birds' inspired generations of birdwatchers. Ali's passionate ecological advocacy directly saved the Silent Valley rainforest in Kerala from hydroelectric destruction and established the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1976, his birthday on November 12 is celebrated nationwide to protect endangered avian species and fragile wetland ecosystems.
