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The Application Form | Types of Memberships

Membership of the Society is open to individuals, institutions and corporate bodies within India and abroad. Students (below 25 years of age) are given a special concessional membership. (Please refer to the form for details). New members are admitted after scrutiny of the submitted form by the Executive Committee of the Society. The membership year starts from the month on which an individual joins the Society and extends for a period of 12 months. On becoming a member of the Society, you can buy our products and publications at concessional rates. Library facility (for reference only) is provided free of charge to all members of BNHS.

The Society organises various programmes for the benefit of the members, corporate and organised groups. The most popular among these programmes are National Camps arranged at national parks / sanctuaries and forests rich in flora and fauna. The nature treks are also held in remote and difficult areas in the Himalayas / Sahyadris and other mountain ranges where experts in the specific fields provide information on flora and fauna of that region. Nature camps at seashores and islands (Andaman and Lakshadweep, etc. ) attract many nature lovers.

Besides these annual camps, overnight camps / nature walks are arranged at weekends where participants enjoy birdwatching and learn about floral, insect and other biodiversity of the region.

'The indoor programmes like group discussion and lectures on topics related to nature / wildlife and conservation are held regularlyat Hornbill House and suburbs of Mumbai City.

Programmes are also held for the benefit of organised membership groups at some well known centres.

A quarterly magazine Hornbill, with popular articles and photographs on natural history and conservation is sent free of cost to all members of the Society. Members wishing to publish some interesting articles or experiences can send their articles to the Publications department.

A four-monthly, scientific publications now in its 100th Volume and 117th year of continuous publication, dealing with natural history and allied subjects. It ranks as one of the most important periodicals in Asia and is recognised as indispensable for the study of the Oriental fauna and flora, ecology and natural history. The Journal which is for members only, has a separate subscription.

Keeping the aim of BNHS of 'Conservation of nature and natural resources through education and research in natural history, regular field trips, in and around Mumbai, are conducted on Sundays. About four to five nature camps to major National Parks and Sanctuaries in India (e.g., Ranthambore, Gir, Tadoba, Kanha) are held every year. Members are guided by wildlife experts who help the members in identifying different species of plants and animals and thus make these field trips educative and highly interactive.

Highly interactive talks and/or slide shows are arranged at 'HORNBILL HOUSE' wherein specialists in various branches of life sciences preside. The talks are informative and an open discussion is held after every talk/slide show. Members interested in nature photography and members who are doing research in any branch of life science, are encouraged to present their work before the members.

The Society has a vast collection of Flora and Fauna of the Indian subcontinent. Members wishing to seriously pursue their studies, are allowed to refer to these collections (with prior permission of the concerned authorities) and are also assisted in their work by the BNHS staff.

Members can also offer their voluntary services to BNHS and thus actively participate in conservation activities carried out by the Society from time to time. (Details of voluntary services are provided with the membership form).

The Society has a well equipped library with books and periodicals dealing with flora, fauna and natural history for the use of members and accredited research workers. Members may borrow for a stated period from the library such books as are not required for reference and are not of a special rarity value. For borrowing books from the library a member shall pay a refundable interest free deposit of Rs. 300/-.

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.

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