Timeline

E.H. Aitken, author of several natural history books, who contributed significantly to Society's bird collection, is the first Honorary Secretary.

First issue of Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, Indian subcontinent's premier scientific peer-reviewed journal, is published.

Book publication begins with the release of E.C. Stuart Baker's 'Indian Ducks and their Allies'.

Launches Mammal Survey of india, Burma and Ceylon under Millard, helps progress of indian Systematic Mammology.

Joins hands with Museum trustees to build Natural History Section; Salim Ali is its first guide lecturer.

Begins nature education in Mumbai with nature walks and school Programmes.

Initiates Hyderabad Ornithological Survey, followed by avifaunal surveys of Travancore and Cochin (1933), Central India (1938), Mysore (1939-40), Kutch (1943-44) and Gujarat (1944-48).

Gets its logo; chooses William the Great Hornbill, BNHS' resident caged-bird from 1894-1920, and popularly knows as its 'office canary'.

American ecologist Dillon Ripley and Salim Ali team up to study Indian birds. Mistnet is used for the first time; helps revise the known distributional range of many species.

Starts new leg post-Independence, under Salim Ali.

Landmark bird survey in Gujarat sets pace for bird migration studies in the state.

Recognised by Bombay University to conduct MSc in field ornithology; soon recognition extended to PhD programme.

Rediscovers Finn's Baya after 58 years. First sighted by A.O. Hume in 1866 and breeding plumage of male first described by Frank Finn in 1901, after which there were no records.

Rediscovers Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat, first collected by Prater during 1912 mammal survey in Barapede Caves, Goa.

Gets new premises in Fort on 13 March; names it after its mascot, the Great Hornbill.

Campaigns for Kerala's Silent Valley to be declared a sanctuary- a proposed dam was threatening its survival.

Estuarine Crocodile Survey in Bhitarkanika, Odisha, locates largest breeding site of Olive Ridley Turtles along Indian coast.

Launches Hornbill, an illustrated magazine to bring natural history and conservation stories to BNHS members.

Avifauna movement and population studies across India lead to declaration of Great Vedaranyam Swamp in Tamil Nadu and Harike Lake in Punjab as sanctuaries, and Chilika Lake as Ramsar site.

Great Indian Bustard study rolls out conservation plans for the species and grassland fauna of the plains.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi attends BNHS Centenary function; releases Centenary Postage Stamp designed by J.P. Irani, foremost Indian bird artist and illustator of Scociety's publications.

Pioneers studies on Asian Elephant in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas;first study in India on ratio collared elephants

Indian government bans export of frog legs after sustained efforts by Humayun Abdulali

Rediscovers Jerdon's Courser near Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh, last recorded in 1900 from eastern India.

Takes up bird migration project in Point Calimere,Sriharikota Island and Pulikat,Harike and Chilika Lakes;rsults in Indian Bird Rining Manual and standardised bird ringing system.

Rollapadu in Andhra Pradesh declared Grate Indian Bustard Sanctuary on BNHS' recommendation.

Birds of Prey status of resident raptors, discovers largest roost of three wintering harrier species in Velavadar National Park, Gujarat and adds Gery-faced Buzzard to Indian checklist

Gets United Nations Environment Programme's Global 500 Award for nature conservation

Plays important role in extending Maharashtra's Phansad Sanctuary for Indian Giant Squirrel

Takes up Western Ghats hill streams ecology study, with special reference to fishes

Indira Gandhi Paryavan Puraskar J.C Daniel, former BNHS director.

Gets Important Bird Areas (IBA) cell to identify key biodiversity conservation sites, with birds as indicators. Nominated BirdLife International's partner designate in India.

Sets up vulture care facility in Pinjore, Haryana, followed by 3 more centres in West Bengal, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, and a breeding facility in Pinjore.

Critically Endangered Forest Owlet study in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh helps establish status, distribution, ecology and behaviour of the species.

Recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award (Institution category).

BirdLife International Award for BNHS scientist and then Director Asad R. Rahmani for his research and conservation initiatives in India.

Launches Satpuda Landscape Tiger Programme; takes up large-scale conservation through education and community initiatives.

Takes up study of Asian Elephant population, distribution, habitat and conservation problems in Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh; extends study along southern Eastern Ghats including Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Study on fatal effect of diclofenac on Gyps vultures leads to ban on the drug for veterinary use.

Flamingo festival first celebrated as part of wildlife week; draws attention to flamingos in Sewri Bay.

Haryana Government's Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Award for BNHS scientist Vibhu Prakash in recongnition of his vulture conservation work.

Whitley Conservation Award for BNHS scientist Deepak Apte in recognition of his work in Marine Protected Areas of Lakshadweep.

Starts marine biodiversity conservation centre in Ratnagiri.

Starts a Conservation Education Centre in Nagpur, on Raj Bhavan premises.

Sanctuary Green Teacher Award for BNHS naturalist Isaac Kehimkar for creating interest in nature, especially butterflies.