| BNHS Selected for Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award - 2002 Bombay Natural History Society has been selected for the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award for the year 2002 in the 'Institution' category. The Award ceremony will take on 15th October 2003 at 11.00 a.m. at Main Meeting Hall, Parliament Annex, New Delhi. |
BNHS Scientist bags Marsh Award
Dr. Vibhu Prakash, a Principal Scientist at the Society is the receipient of the Marsh Award 2003. The function was held on February 26, at Nehru Centre attached to the Indian High Commission in London. Mr. Brian Marsh, Chairman, Marsh Christian Trust, gave away the award which included a citation and a cheque of £1000. The Marsh Christian Trust established in 1981, aims to acknowledge individuals and sometimes groups for their dedicated commitment in their chosen field.Mr. Gramme Wynne, Chief Executive, RSPB, lauded the BNHS’s role in bird conservation for over a century, and spoke of its close cooperation with the RSPB for the last many years and the fact that BNHS was now the India partner of BirdLife International. He was very appreciative of the Society’s efforts in initiating long term monitoring of bird populations in India; the excellent documentation of the crash in vulture population being a good example and added that the RSPB was proud to be associated with the BNHS.
Mr. Elliot Morley, Minister for Nature Protection, U.K., said that he was impressed by the implementation of the vulture project in India, and found the Vulture Care Center at Pinjore, which he had inaugurated on February 7, professionally developed and maintained. He assured all help to the project and BNHS in their efforts to save the vultures. He commented that although Darwin projects are not extended beyond three years, considering the importance and effective implementation in this case, they would find ways to extend it. He also appreciated RSPB for recognizing the vulture work in India.
The function was attended by over 60 distinguished people including Officers from the Department of Food and Agriculture, representatives from the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species, Executives and Scientists from RSPB and BirdLife International and BNHS life members.
BOOK ON HUMAYUN ABDULALI RELEASED
A book on the life of Humayun Abdulali (1914-2001), a doyen of the Indian ornithology was released on Friday, 31st January 2003 at Hornbill House. The book is compiled and edited by Dr. Rachel Reuben, former Director, and Centre for Research in Medical Entomology.
The book is a fascinating account of the life of Humayun Abdulali, a pioneer naturalist and conservationist. It begins with 3 chapters of an unfinished autobiography. His projected outline for the rest has been worked up from his notes and scientific papers, as well as the reminiscences of many who knew him. A final section looks at his personality and achievements.
It was mainly through Mr. Abdulali's efforts and negotiations with the Central Government that the Bombay Natural History Society's Hornbill House was built to house its offices, library and the invaluable zoological collections. Mr. Abdulali continued his association with the BNHS as member of the Executive Committee. He was also the Emeritus Naturalist at the BNHS.
Mr. Abdulali was Honorary secretary of the BNHS from 1950-62, when he represented BNHS on the Bombay State Wildlife Advisory Board. In collaboration with the Forest Department, he drafted the Bombay Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection of 1951, which later served as the model for the present Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Mr. Abdulali was known for his keen observation and an original, inquiring mind, which made him very knowledgeable all-round naturalist, especially interested in birds. On Indian natural history his 265 scientific papers and 60 book reviews have been published. His monumental work is the Catalogue of the Birds in the Collection of the Bombay natural History Society, which has been published in 38 parts. In his honour, a new species frog Nyctibatrachus humayuni and a new species of Nicobar Scops Owl Otus alius were named. He himself has described the Andaman subspecies of Black Baza, a type of bird of prey found in Andaman Island.
An avid shikari in his early days, Mr. Abdulali took up conservation issues seriously. He played a critical role in establishing the Sanjay Gandhi national park. He fought for it and when there were plan to build a road through the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, he got it stayed.
His investigations into the role of frogs in controlling agricultural pests, and finally convinced the Government of India to ban the export of frog legs.
The book is published by Mosaic Books, New Delhi.
Public Relations Officer
A&N ADMINISTRATION REFUSING TO IMPLEMENT ORDERS OF THE SUPREME COURT THAT WILL BENEFIT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND FORESTS OF THE ISLANDS.
In May 2002, the Supreme Court of India passed landmark orders regarding the fragile environment of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and for the protection of the vulnerable tribal communities who critically depend on the forests here for their survival. These include the Jarawas who inhabit the South and Middle Andaman Islands and the Onges of Little Andaman Island. The orders were passed in the T. N Godavarman Case.
These tribal communities have been living in these islands for thousands of years and yet they are the most threatened and exploited group of people here. The exploitation has been in various forms, from taking over of their forests for timber extraction and creation of settlements for outsiders, to policies and plans that have constantly undermined and destroyed their social and cultural systems. The last few decades have also seen the large scale government sponsored immigration into the islands from mainland India, further compromising the rights and resources of the tribal peoples.
The Supreme Court orders passed in May earlier this year, offered an excellent opportunity to correct some of these historical injustices.
There were two key orders of the court in this specific context:
The shutting down of the ATR is critical if the small population of the Jarawas and the pristine rainforests of the Jarawa Reserve are to be protected from decimation. Declaration of the Inner Line too is vital if the long-term security of the islands and the tribal peoples' here is to be ensured.
Unfortunately, however, though more than six months have now passed since the Supreme Court orders, the A&N administration has done very little to implement either of the above two. The period of three months that the administration had is long over, and the administration continues to drag its feet.
We believe that the administration is willfully letting off a historical opportunity, one for which they alone will be held responsible. The non-implementation of the orders of the SC by the A&N Administration is not only extremely detrimental for the Jarawas, the Onges and the forests of the islands, it is also in complete disregard of the legal system of the country and a clear violation of the orders of the Supreme Court.
It is indeed shocking that the A&N Administration is continuing in clear and willful disregard of the highest court in the country, an act that can amount to contempt that should be the responsibility of the highest officers in the Administration here.
We also appeal to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), formed by the SC in the Godavarman case to urgently look into the matter and take necessary action in this regard.
Gam
A. Shimray
Coordinator, AICFAIP
On Behalf of the Core Committee members of AICFAIP
BNHS associates with National Geographic Channel.
This new BNHS publication covers the curious world of reptiles and amphibians, both common and are found in the Indian faunal limits. There has been no book to rival J. C. Daniel’s earlier Book of Indian Reptiles, also published by the Bombay Natural History Society in 1983. He has now presented an entirely new text of not only a larger number of reptiles, but has also described frogs, toads and other amphibians, a much neglected group.
The book contains field observations and descriptions of 179 species including 53 snakes, 45 lizards of various groups, 31 tortoises and turtles, and 45 amphibians. Almost each species has been illustrated with line drawings, photographs and reproductions of valuable paintings from the Journal of the BNHS. The book satisfies professional zoologists, amateur naturalists, students and the interested general reader alike. Photographic contributions from several members of the Bombay Natural History Society add contemporary appeal to this exciting new field guide, which also contains historical information.
The book was released by Mr. Zarir Cama, CEO, HSBC on Tuesday, 9th July, 2002 at Hornbill House at 6.00 p.m. The book is now available for sale. BNHS members get 25% discount on the list price of Rs. 595. 00.
About the Author:
J. C. Daniel began his career with the Bombay Natural History Society, served as Curator, then its first Director, and is presently the Honorary Secretary. He has several published works to his credit:
The Book of Indian Reptiles, A Century of Natural History, Conservation in Developing Countries, Indian Wildlife - Insight Guides Lion Section co-author, Revision: The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali (12th edn), and compilations on the Tiger, Asian Elephant and Leopard.
He is Executive Editor of the Society’s Journal, and the initiator of the Hornbill magazine, which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in November 2001.He is a familiar name to wildlifers, with more than 50 papers in scientific journals and popular magazines to his credit.
Professional Associations: Was Member Governing Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Member, Indian Board for Wildlife. Vice Chairman, Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Member Marine Turtle and Crocodile Specialist Group (SSC-WCU)
Awards:
I LOVE INSECT
If insects fascinate you and you want to tell your friends about your love for insects, here is a beautifully crafted metal badge depicting the Atlas moth. You can pin it on your cap or on your shirt pocket. The badge comes packed in an equally attractive box. The cost is Rs. 35/- and is available on the BNHS Product Counter. You can also order the badge by sending a mail along with cost and additional postage charges of Rs. 12/- if within Mumbai and Rs. 25/- for rest of India. So hurry up, and pick up your badge and let people know that even Insects are lovable.
Common and Scientific names of the birds of the INDIAN SUBCONTINENT available in ENVIS section
Indian Bird Calls Cassette by Dr. Erach Bharucha now available at BNHS for Rs. 160/- only (25% discount for BNHS members).
New Book released of Common Wild Indian Flowers by Isaac Kehimkar click here for details.
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