Our priority areas
Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, North-east India, Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Central India and Satpura mountain range.
Action on ground
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Ecological assessment of large dams: BNHS is instrumental in conducting independent studies on biodiversity for proposed large dams in north-east India and Central India. For example: Rangnadi and Lower Subansiri Dam in Arunachal Pradesh, Uppar Tapi in Maharashtra.
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Impact of coral reef poisoning on sea turtles in Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat State): Conservation Department reported for the first time coral reef poisoning in India for catching fish in the Gulf of Kutch. This has lead to deaths of several sea turtles and birds. We are investigating the mater.
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Impact of Human River Project on tiger corridor in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra: We have generated vital ecological data for this area through rigorous field surveys.
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Wildlife trades in seashells: We are documenting the magnitude of trade in seashells from various sites in South India.
Members’ network
Defending Wild India: A groups of active and vibrant members of conservations initiative. All members are linked through an e-group: defendingwildindia@yahoogroups.com. We organize exclusive lecture series on various conservation issues for the members of this group.
Strong Partnerships: We have an active network of more than 300 NGOs and individuals across the country. We initiate local advocacy through this network.
Legal Cell
Public Interest Litigation to protect Onge Tribe in Andaman: BNHS was a co-litigant in the case filed in Hon’ble Supreme Court.
Issues related to Protected Areas
Conservation Department is working in close coordination with forest department, NGOs and individuals for various conservation issues of PAs. To name few are:Tungareshwar Reserve Forest: Active advocacy with state forest department to protect this reserve forest from encroachment and illegal road expansion.
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Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai: We join hands with forest department for the protection of SGNP. We provide financial support to forest department, individuals and NGOs for various initiatives through our City Forest Fund.
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Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary: for rehabilitation of villages.
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Tadoba National Park: studying impact of proposed Human River Project.
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Corbett National Park: removal and rehabilitation of irrigation colony.
Conservation of flagship species
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Wild Buffalo: BNHS has undertaken three major surveys in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh for establishing status of Wild Buffalo and identify migratory corridors in these states.
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Jerdon’s Courser: Our Scientist rediscovered this globally endangered species after 80 years. We are working on conservation of this species.
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Giant Clams: Based on field studies of conservation Department, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India included 15 species of seashells in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 thus giving them highest protection.
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Clathrus delicates: Our Conservation Officer re-recorded this globally threatened species after 65 years in Mumbai. We are working on conservation of this species.
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Sea Turtles in Gulf of Kutch: Active advocacy with Gujarat State Forest Department for protecting this globally threatened species. During a survey in the Gulf of Kutch. The matter is communicated to relevant authorities and we will be undertaking detailed surveys on the issue.
Training programmes
We conduct one-year distant education courses:
Awareness Programme in Oceans: Biodiversity, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
We support
Sálim Ali Nature Conservation Fund (SANCF) provides small grants for undertaking conservation oriented field surveys for young conservationists. We have supported more than 50 field studies so far.
Our supporters
Capacity Building
- ICICI Bank: Rs. 50,00,000/- for Corporate Environmental Leadership Programme
- G.D. Gokhale Charitable Trust: Rs. 1,00,000/- for Ocean Awareness Programme
- Kotak Mahindra Bank: Rs. 50,000/- towards attending World Park Congress
Corpus Grants
- Sálim Ali Nature Conservation Fund (SANCF): Rs. 26,00,000/-
- Vijaya and Bhalchandra Deshmukh Conservation Fund: Rs. 6,00,000/-
- The Cactus and Succulent Society: Rs. 1,21,000/- corpus grant for SANCF
City Forest Fund (We organize action oriented activities for protection of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai)
- D.S.P. Merrill Lynch: Rs. 2,50,000/-
- 10% sale proceeds of book ‘City Forest’ by Sunjoy Monga: 1,11,450/-.
Forest Guard Fund (BNHS provides financial help for forest guards for any injury leading to disablement or death while performing duty)
Karuna Charitable trust: Rs. 2,00,000/-
Justice D E Reuben Legal Fund: We support legal actions on merit basis. BNHS is co- litigant in Andaman case.
Conservation Fund for Field Surveys
- International River Network: Rs. 2,35,000/- for surveys in North-east India
- Individual donors with annual contribution of Rs. 1000/-, Rs. 5000/- and Rs. 25,000/-
We appeal our members and well wishers to support generously for various heads as under. All our donations are exempted from Income Tax under Section 80 G.
| 1. |
City Forest Fund |
| 2. |
Forest Guard Fund |
| 3. |
SANCF Corpus Fund |
| 4. |
Conservation Fund |
| 5. |
Tiger Cell Fund |
For further details contact: Conservation Officer, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai 400 023, India. Tel.: 91-22-22821811 Fax: 91-22-22837615. Email: bnhs_conservation@vsnl.net |
