Friend Of Birds By Liyakat Shah

Friend Of Birds By Liyakat Shah

            In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Dr. Salim Ali is one of the most widely known Ornithologists in the world today. It was the undying curiosity of a ten year old Salim in 1906 that turned into an international acclaimed bird scientist. Even as a child, Salim Ali was found of roaming in the free atmosphere of nature. For this reason he also failed to complete his education. Salim Ali was born on November 12 1896, when he grew up, he was sent to Burma to help his brother in his work. In Burma, Salim Ali’s heart lay in observing different kinds of birds.

When he returned home his interest in birds developed into a passion and he took a formal training to become an Ornithologist. He was appointed as a guide in the museum of the famous Bombay Natural History society. Then he proceeded to Germany for higher studies in this field.

 On his return to India, Salim Ali came to known that his post had been abolished which rendered him jobless. With whatever he had he bought a house near Bombay port. There he studied the behavior of weaver birds through his keen observation.

 Salim Mohiyuddi Abdul Ali, was a renowned ornithologist from India

 Dr. Salim Mohiyuddi Abdul Ali, known widely as Salim Ali, who authored invaluable books on birds and was honoured by nation with some of its most covetable awards like the Padmabhushan (1958) and Padmavibhushan (1976) His services were recognized internationally too. He was made a national professor of ornithology in 1982. His books include 'The Book of Indian Birds' (1941) considered the 'Bible' of ornithologists, 'The Birds of Kutch' (1945), 'The Birds of Travancore and Cochin(1953)', The Indian Hillbirds' (1949), 'a Handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan',

He died on July 27 1987 at Bombay.

Mr. Liyakat Shah