BNHS: ITS ROLE AS SCIENTIFIC AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION DURING THE COLONIAL AND POST - COLONIAL ERA

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) founded in 1883 is recognized as one of the leading conservation
research organizations in the world. It is a non -governmental organization It has been collecting data on the
specimens of natural history throughout the Indian sub-continent, through various mammal and bird surveys
conducted throughout the country, it played a key role in disseminating scientific knowledge about them. Various
specimens of flora and fauna were sent to the BNHS for identification and preservation. The movement which was
started for exchanging notes on natural history and deposition of the specimens collected by hunters resulted in one
of the finest collections and was the oldest natural history collection in India and is a part of the national heritage
of India.
The BNHS zealously campaigned for wildlife preservation by writing to forest officers, sportsmen, and the
Government for their opinions, their series of editorials and articles in the journal created awareness about the need
for conservation. They persuaded the authorities to evolve an enlightened policy towards wildlife and provided a
platform to naturalists. After independence ( 1947- 1972 ) it played a pioneering role in spreading of scientific
information and research through its various environmental projects like bird migration project, conservation
campaigns for saving endangered species like the tiger, creating awareness through "Nature Education”
Programmes, support for establishing National parks at Borivali, Bird Sanctuary at Karnala and Mahim..The Non
-Government organization( NGO) is an organization that tries to achieve social or political aims but is not controlled
by the government. NGOs are distinctive as they are voluntary organizations who do not operate for profit. Before
independence, there was little scope for non -government activity particularly in the field of conservation of nature
and natural resources as the emphasis was on hunting, which was the rulers prerogative for entertainment.
However, in the latter half of the 19th century, some NGO's like the BNHS was encouraged by British hunters, and
they flourished due to their patronage. In the field of Natural History, there were two types of organizations, one
was science-oriented, devoted to the setting up of museums, organizing natural history expeditions and collections.
The general objective was the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge.