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The Bombay Natural History Society is today the largest non-government organisation (NGO) in the Indian subcontinent engaged in nature conservation research. In the 120 years of its existence, its commitment has been, and continues to be, the conservation of India's natural wealth, protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources for a balanced and healthy development for future generations. The Society's guiding principle has always been that conservation must be based on scientific research - a tradition exemplified by its late president, Dr. Sálim Ali.

Altruism, is the key word for the success and growth of the Society. This vital element, as fund support or non-financial support, be it from its members, government, institutions or corporate bodies, has been responsible for the survival of the Society. To ensure the continuity of its contribution to the cause of conservation, the BNHS invites support from all those who care to make a better world for all living beings, including mankind.

In 1883, eight residents of Bombay (now Mumbai) decided to form a Society for the study of Natural History. Six Englishmen and two Indians met on the 15th of September 1883 in the Victoria and Albert Museum (presently named as Jijamata Udyan), Bombay and constituted themselves as the Bombay Natural History Society. They proposed to meet monthly and exchange notes, exhibit interesting specimens and otherwise encourage one another. For several months meetings were held in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Then in January 1884, Mr. H. Phipson offered the use of a room in his office at 18 Forbes Street, Fort, Bombay, for holding meetings.

Soon the membership increased and collections began to be made. In a very short time, the necessity for more ample accommodation was felt. Mr. Phipson again came to the rescue of the Society and both his office and the Society moved to a larger and more suitable accommodation at 6, Apollo Street, (presently Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road). This association was to last for the next 74 years to the everlasting benefit of the Bombay Natural History Society. However, as the collections began to grow at 6, Apollo Street, the need to have a proper museum was felt. Mr. Phipson's desire to have a proper Natural History Museum in Bombay was soon fulfilled, when on 15th August 1905, it was resolved by the Government to have a permanent memorial to commemorate the visit of the Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales to this City and Presidency in the form of a public Museum and Library.

Ten years after Independence, an agreement with the Museum and the State Government was concluded by which the Society severed its connections with the Museum, and the Government of Maharashtra agreed to pay for housing the Society's collections other than the exhibits at the Museum and the establishment to maintain them. At this time, the association with Phipsons also came to an end.

Realising the importance of the Bombay Natural History Society's vital role in documenting and conserving India's natural heritage, the Government of India agreed to fund the building of "Hornbill House" to house the Bombay Natural History Society and its valuable collections of natural history specimens representing India's faunal biodiversity.

Hornbill House was built by the Prince of Wales Museum with a grant of Rs. 3.34 lakhs from the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs, Government of India for the exclusive use of the BNHS. Construction of Hornbill House was completed in 1965. Hornbill House is named after the Society's mascot the Great Indian Hornbill, which is the logo of the Society.

Hornbill House is located at Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sálim Ali Chowk - named after India's most famous ornithologist whose close association with the Bombay Natural History Society extended over 78 years from the time he entered its portals as a curious youngster until his demise in 1987 at the age of 91. Dr. Sálim Ali was the Society's first Indian Honorary Secretary and was its President at the time of his death. During his later life, the Bombay Natural History Society became synonymous with him.

In the first fifty years of its existence, the Society apparently did not have a distinct logo of its own, though the mounted antlers of a barasingha do appear on the cover of the Golden Jubilee Commemorative volume of the Journal.

In 1933, however, the then Honorary Secretary advised that the Journal would attract more attention in libraries and clubs if there was a coloured illustration on the cover. He had then obtained a suitable design for a crest which featured the Great Indian Hornbill which had been always associated with the Society and recommended that this crest be printed in colour on the Society's Journal and on the prospectus of the Society. He also proposed that a replica of this crest be used for the Society's stationery.

The Society's association with the Hornbill dates back to "William", the Great Pied Hornbill which arrived at the Society as a nestling in 1894, and had lived in the Society's rooms till 1920. William, affectionately known as the office canary, lived in a cage behind the Honorary Secretary's chair during the 26 years he lived at the Society. Hornbill House was named after him.

We are situated at

Bombay Natural History Society,
Hornbill House,
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road,
Mumbai 400 023,
INDIA. Phone: (91-22) 22821811
Fax: (91-22) 22837615
Email: bnhs@bom4.vsnl.net.in