The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), one of India’s oldest and largest NGOs, established in 1883, stepped into its 141st year in 2024. Throughout its long history, the organisation has contributed significantly to wildlife research and conservation and continues to do so in the present day. In this interview, Kishor Rithe, the Director of BNHS, talks about the latest, most significant developments in the organisation, its newest achievements, and the upcoming programs.
What have been the most notable developments in BNHS in recent years?
BNHS has a rich legacy in wildlife research and conservation and an extremely talented pool of experts. To better utilise both to achieve the organisation’s goals, BNHS management has launched several new initiatives.
BNHS has decided to protect some highly threatened species using both ex-situ and in-situ conservation strategies.
The selected species include three critically endangered species of Gyps vultures – the Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), and the slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris); the critically endangered lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus); the endangered wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee); the vulnerable Green avadavat (Amandava formosa), smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) and spotted seahorse (Hippocampus kuda); and the near-threatened Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). We are also working to conserve the caracal (Caracal caracal), which has nearly disappeared from India.
BNHS is now working with the Government of India and various state governments for the long-term conservation of these species. Some positive developments have already happened in that direction.
We have already launched the conservation breeding program of green avadavat in Rajasthan and have recorded some initial success with the project. We have also started the sea horse conservation breeding and ranching project on the west coast of Maharashtra. The respective authorities have also approved our conservation breeding programmes for the wild water buffalo, lesser florican, and the two species of otters. The proposal of conservation breeding of caracals is currently under consideration by the authorities. We also plan to add new vulture species to our highly successful Vulture Conservation Programme.
BNHS is also focusing on protecting wildlife habitats that are rapidly changing due to linear infrastructure projects and other anthropogenic impacts. We have set up specialised teams to conduct long-term studies and devise solutions to mitigate the effects of such projects on wildlife.
BNHS is also making rapid progress in the publications sector. We have decided to reprint the Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan by Sálim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley. It is regarded as the definitive reference for ornithologists, birdwatchers, and naturalists across the Indian subcontinent. BNHS will reprint the temple volumes of the Handbook with modifications, including the addition of photographs, maps, illustrations, etc., in the revised edition. BNHS also plans to publish a series of books on India’s ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, deserts, grasslands, etc. The editors assigned to the respective series will crowd-source the related information and images.
All of the above means that we have enormous tasks ahead of us, and our highly competent experts are working hard to make these projects successful.
BNHS is also developing robust infrastructure at various strategic locations across India to ensure that its research and conservation work can be amplified in the coming times.
What were some of the most significant achievements of BNHS in 2024?
In 2024, BNHS made major strides in several areas of conservation and research. Every department contributed significantly to the organisation’s achievements. Some of the highlights include:
The huge success of the Vulture Conservation programme of BNHS, whereby 84 vultures selected from around 400 vultures bred in captivity at the conservation breeding centre in Pinjore, Haryana, were released in the wild at different locations across India. It is a path-breaking achievement for BNHS.
The Government of India’s December 2024 ban on the veterinary use of the vulture-toxic drug Nimesulide and its formulations was also a major achievement. BNHS was one of the strongest advocates for this ban.
The first sarus crane was tagged in the Gondia District of Maharashtra for conservation studies in November 2024.
In October 2024, BNHS and the Mangrove Foundation collaborated to launch the JALCHAR mobile application. The Maharashtra Forest Department supported the initiative, and Harrier Information Systems Pvt. Ltd designed the app. JALCHAR promises to save the lives of stranded marine fauna and also contribute data to marine research and conservation. The application is available for free download on the Google Play Store.
BNHS also started a citizen-science initiative to digitise historical field notes from its extensive bird ringing data. The project involving student interns and volunteers from various professional fields has helped digitise ringing data covering over 80,000 birds. The data is expected to help wildlife science answer many questions related to bird migration.
BNHS senior scientist Dr P. Sathiyaselvam received the Wildlife Service Award 2024 at the Sanctuary Wildlife Awards presented by the DSP Mutual Fund for his decades of exemplary work in avian research and wetland conservation.
What new does BNHS plan to offer to its members?
BNHS has recently launched the BNHS-SEVA initiative so that BNHS members can now volunteer for BNHS field research and conservation projects. It is a golden opportunity for passionate members to contribute to conservation.
We also plan to offer more to our valued members in the coming times, such as conducting more education and outreach programs, capacity-building workshops, nature trails, etc., where they can actively participate to enhance their knowledge and hone their skills in the field.
In the past, BNHS members have contributed many enriching articles to our print publications. They can now also submit articles for the newly created BNHS Blog. The articles must be of good quality and relevant to the field of wildlife conservation and research.
Members will also have the opportunity to contribute to some of our upcoming publications like the reprint version of the Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan by Sálim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley and the books on the Ecosystem series. Members can help enrich these publications by contributing images and information.
What can an individual seeking to work for BNHS expect from the organisation?
BNHS is a dynamic organisation with a great scope of work for wildlife researchers, conservationists, and others. We provide young professionals in the field, including freshers, the opportunity to volunteer with the organisation and work on various projects to gain experience and learn from seniors who are stalwarts in their respective fields.
We work on a wide range of species belonging to various groups, from birds to mammals, reptiles, insects, and more. We also work across diverse ecosystems in almost every state of India. So, new professionals can select from a range of options what best fits their goals and expertise.
BNHS offers a dynamic work environment and is always ready to welcome passionate and driven individuals who desire to be a part of the organisation and align their professional goals with those of BNHS.