Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Encyclopedia
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
and natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
in India. It was inspired by and named in honor of Salim Ali
Salim Ali (ornithologist)
Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Known as the "birdman of India", Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and his bird books helped develop ornithology...
, the leading pioneer of ornithology in India. It is an autonomous organization established in 1990 and registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act
Indian Societies Registration Act
The Indian Societies Registration Act of 1860 was enacted under the British Raj in India. It provided for the registration of literary, scientific and charitable societies....
. Its headquarters are at Anaikatty, Coimbatore district
Coimbatore District
Coimbatore District is one of the more affluent and industrially advanced districts of the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Coimbatore is known as the Manchester of South India. It one of the most industrialized towns of Tamil Nadu. It has the highest GDP among the districts of Tamil Nadu, even ahead...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India. SACON is associated with the Ministry of Environment and Forests
Ministry of Environment and Forests
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is an Indian government ministry. The Minister of Environment and Forests holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers...
SACOC's mission is:
- "To help conserve India’s biodiversityBiodiversityBiodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and its sustainable use through research, education and peoples’ participation, with birds at the centre stage".
Objectives
The core objectives of SACON, to which all work of the organization are directed, are:- Design and conduct research in ornithology covering all aspects of biodiversity and natural History,
- Develop and conduct regular courses in ornithology and natural history for MScMSC- Computers:* Mario Strikers Charged* Microsoft Common Console Document, file for the Microsoft Management Console* Microelectronics Support Centre* Microsoft Corporation* MIDI Show Control* Message Sequence Chart...
, MPhil and PhDPHDPHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
candidates and short-term orientation courses in the above subjects, - Create a data bankDatabaseA database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
on Indian ornithology and natural history, - Disseminate knowledge relating to ornithology and natural history for the benefit of the community.
- To confer honorary awards and other distinctions to persons who have rendered outstanding services in the fields of ornithology and natural history.
Organization
SACON policy is determined by a 16 member Governing Council. Its chairman is the Secretary/Additional Secretary to the Government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
, Ministry of Environment and Forests. The SACON Society has 90 members and advises the Governing Council. Its President is the Honorable Minister for Environment and Forests, Government of India. Administration of SACON is overseen by a 16 member Governing Council and implemented by the Director Incharge
The administrative section has a Senior finance officer, Junior administrative manager, Personal
assistant to the Director, Administrative assistant, Accounts assistant, Office assistant, Stenographer
and Receptionist, two Drivers and an Office attendant.
Infrastructure
11°6′13"N 76°47′3"EArea: 223000 square metres (2,400,352 sq ft)
Elevation: 660 metres (2,165.4 ft)
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SACON’s main campus is at Anaikatty, 24 km (14.9 mi) northwest of Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, near the trijunction of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
at the foothills of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an International Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats, Nilgiri Hills range of South India. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster , conjoining the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World...
. It offers multiple opportunities for long-term studies on various aspects of avifauna
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
and the biological principles and phenomena involved in the maintenance of fragile eco-systems.
Its 223000 square metres (2,400,352 sq ft) of land is built up with around 3438 m² (37,006.3 sq ft) of buildings for housing offices, laboratory, library, common facilities and a student hostel. The unique round buildings of the campus were designed by Mr. Laurie Baker
Laurie Baker
Laurence Wilfred "Laurie" Baker was an award-winning British-born Indian architect, renowned for his initiatives in cost-effective energy-efficient architecture and for his unique space utilisation and simple but beautiful aesthetic sensibility...
(1917–2007), a world-renowned eco-friendly architect
Sustainable architecture
Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world...
. and was dedicated on February 11, 2000.
SACON also operates seven field research stations at: Port Blair
Port Blair
Port Blair is the largest town and a municipal council in Andaman district in the Andaman Islands and the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India...
, Mayabunder
Mayabunder
Mayabunder is one of 5 local administrative divisions of the Indian district of Andaman, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands....
, (Andaman and Nicobar Islands); Singtam
Singtam
Singtam is a town in East Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is about 30 km from the state capital Gangtok.-Geography:Singtam is located at . It has an average elevation of 1396 metres .-Demographics:...
(Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
); Bharatpur
Bharatpur, India
Bharatpur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. Located in the Brij region, Bharatpur was once an impregnable, well-planned and well-fortified city, and the capital of Jat kingdom ruled by Sinsinwar Maharajas.The trio of Bharatpur, Deeg and...
(Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
); Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
); Upper Bhavani (The Nilgiris); Kukkal
Kukkal
Kukkal is a Panchayat village of terrace farmers at the far western end of the Palani Hills in Kodaikanal block of Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu state, South India. It is from Kodaikanal at: . Elevation is . Kookal is notable for the high biodiversity of the area.-Geography:Kukkal sits at the...
(Kodaikannal in TN) and Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park , is located in the Nilgiri Hills, Palakkad District in Kerala, South India...
(Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
).
Laboratory
The 1022 m² (11,000.7 sq ft) SACON laboratory is equipped with advanced scientific equipment to support their research and educational programs. It is probably the best in the country for ecotoxicological studies
Ecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms, especially at the population, community, ecosystem level. Ecotoxicology is a multidisciplinary field, which integrates toxicology and ecology....
of birds and wildlife and includes the following:
- UV Spectrophotometer, Perkin Elmer Model Lambda 35
- High Performance Liquid ChromatographHigh performance liquid chromatographyHigh-performance liquid chromatography , HPLC, is a chromatographic technique that can separate a mixture of compounds and is used in biochemistry and analytical chemistry to identify, quantify and purify the individual components of the mixture.HPLC typically utilizes different types of stationary...
— Agilent TechnologiesAgilent TechnologiesAgilent Technologies , or Agilent, is a company that designs and manufactures electronic and bio-analytical measurement instruments and equipment for measurement and evaluation...
Model 1100 series with Diode array detector and Florescence detector - Flame Atomic Absorption SpectrophotometerAbsorption spectroscopyAbsorption spectroscopy refers to spectroscopic techniques that measure the absorption of radiation, as a function of frequency or wavelength, due to its interaction with a sample. The sample absorbs energy, i.e., photons, from the radiating field. The intensity of the absorption varies as a...
(AAS) — Perkin Elmer, Model 3300 with 13 lamps for analyzing metal residues - Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for analyzing metal residues
- Mercury Hydride Generator for AAS, Perkin Elmer for analyzing mercury and other hydride forming elements
- Microwave Digestion System, Milestone Model 1200 for digesting samples for analysis in the AAS
- Gas Chromatograph, Hewlett Packard Model 5890 Series II with three detectors, (Electron Capture Detector, Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector and Flame Photometric Detector) for analyzing pesticide residues and organic pollutants.
- Dissolved Oxygen Analyzer
- Biochemical Oxygen DemandBiochemical oxygen demandBiochemical oxygen demand or B.O.D. is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period. The term also refers to a chemical procedure for...
Incubator - Flame PhotometerPhotometerIn its widest sense, a photometer is an instrument for measuring light intensity or optical properties of solutions or surfaces. Photometers are used to measure:*Illuminance*Irradiance*Light absorption*Scattering of light*Reflection of light*Fluorescence...
- Vertical Laminar FlowLaminar flowLaminar flow, sometimes known as streamline flow, occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers, with no disruption between the layers. At low velocities the fluid tends to flow without lateral mixing, and adjacent layers slide past one another like playing cards. There are no cross currents...
Chamber - High volume air sampler for sampling suspended particulate matters, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and oxides of sulphur (SOx)
- UltracentrifugeUltracentrifugeThe ultracentrifuge is a centrifuge optimized for spinning a rotor at very high speeds, capable of generating acceleration as high as 2,000,000 g . There are two kinds of ultracentrifuges, the preparative and the analytical ultracentrifuge...
- Ultra Deep Freezer (−800 C), New Brunkswick
- Walk-in cold room
Library
The 1394 m² (15,004.9 sq ft) 2-story library building can accommodate around 50 people. Total holding of the library is 2813 Books, 2381 back volumes of periodicals, 75 Current periodicals (Indian 44; International 31), 2706 maps and 51 CD-ROM’s of reference materials. Internet literature searching is available to the staff and students. The library facilities are available to students, scholars and scientists from other institutions.
Computer facilities
Each Scientist is provided with a laptop computer and Pentium PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. There is a general facility for students and visiting scientists. All are connected with a broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
Local Area Network
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
.
Research
Research activities are coordinated by the Director Incharge and conducted by five research divisions, namely conservation ecologyConservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
, Ecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms, especially at the population, community, ecosystem level. Ecotoxicology is a multidisciplinary field, which integrates toxicology and ecology....
, Environmental impact assessment
Environmental impact assessment
An environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
, Landscape ecology
Landscape ecology
Landscape ecology is the science of studying and improving relationships between urban development and ecological processes in the environment and particular ecosystems...
and Restoration ecology
Restoration ecology
-Definition:Restoration ecology is the scientific study and practice of renewing and restoring degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems and habitats in the environment by active human intervention and action, within a short time frame...
. Within the divisions there are research programs in: Avian ecology and endangered bird conservation, Man and biodiversity conservation, Wetlands conservation, Environmental contamination and biodiversity, Environmental Impact Assessment, Modelling and simulation and Nature Education. The scientific staff includes three Senior Principal Scientists, four Senior Scientists, and one Nature Education Officer.
During 2007-2008 SACON undertook 19 research projects:
Conservation Ecology:
- Status and ecology of the Andaman CrakeAndaman CrakeThe Andaman Crake is a bird species in the family Rallidae. It is endemic to India.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and swamps...
; - Mumbai trans-harbour sea link projectWest Island FreewayThe Western Freeway is an ambitious project that envisions the construction of multiple bridges over the Arabian Sea to reduce traffic-congestion between the suburbs and the city. The first phase of the project, known as the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, was completed in June 2009, and links Bandra in the...
: Study of Flamingos and migratory birds; - Inventory of the biodiversity of Attappady with GIS aid;
- Ecology and conservation of the Spot-billed PelicanSpot-billed PelicanThe Spot-billed Pelican or Grey Pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern Asia from southern Pakistan across India east to Indonesia. It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes...
in Andhra Pradesh; - Identification and mapping of Lesser FloricanLesser FloricanThe Lesser Florican , also known as the Likh, is a large bird in the bustard family and the only member of the genus Sypheotides. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent where it is found in tall grasslands and is best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the Monsoon...
breeding sites to develop a fodder producing grassland network in western India; - In-situ & Ex-situ conservation of the Edible-nest SwiftletEdible-nest SwiftletThe Edible-nest Swiftlet is a small bird of the swift family which is found in South-east Asia. Its nest is made of solidified saliva and is used to make bird's nest soup.-Description:...
collocalia fuciphaga in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands; - Strengthening community conservation efforts in NagalandNagalandNagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
- A programme to impart technical support on biodiversity conservation and livelihood options to communities, Phase 1: Phek, Tuensang, Kiphere, Longleng and Mon Districts; - Ecology of the endangered Indian Rock Python (Python molurus) in Keoladeo National ParkKeoladeo National ParkThe Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that plays host to thousands of birds especially during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the...
, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India; - A study on the Herpetofaunal communities of the Upper Vaigai Plateau, Western GhatsWestern GhatsThe Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
, India.
Landscape Ecology:
- ENVIS Center on Wetland Ecosystems, Multilevel and multiscalar analysis of wetland systems to evaluate balance in ecosystem services and sustainability concerns - Kolleru Wildlife SanctuaryKolleru LakeKolleru Lake is a large freshwater lake located in Andhra Pradesh state, India. Kolleru is located between Krishna and Godavari delta. Kolleru spans into two districts - Krishna and West Godavari. The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for these two rivers...
, a Ramsar site in Andhra Pradesh; - GIS for RajahmundryRajahmundryRajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
Parliamentary constituency, Pollination and seed dispersal by animals in the dry deciduous forests of southern Eastern GhatsEastern GhatsThe Eastern Ghats or Eastern Ghauts are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The Eastern Ghats run from West Bengal state in the north, through Orissa and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka. They are eroded and cut through by the...
; - Ecology of Indian Grey HornbillIndian Grey HornbillThe Indian Grey Hornbill is a common hornbill found on the Indian subcontinent. It is mostly arboreal and is commonly sighted in pairs. They have grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly. The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending up to the point of...
(Ocyceros birostris) with special reference to its role in seed dispersal in southern Eastern Ghats; - Plant-bird interactions with special reference to identification of bird-attracting plants for afforestation of Attappady valley, Kerala.
Ecotoxicology:
- Impact of agricultural pesticides on the population status and breeding success of select species of fish-eating birds in Tamil Nadu
Environmental Impact Assessment:
- Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment of the India-based Neutrino ObservatoryIndia-based Neutrino ObservatoryIndia-based Neutrino Observatory is a proposed particle physics research project to primarily study atmospheric neutrinos in a deep cave under Ino Peak near Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, India. This project is notable in that it is anticipated to provide a precise measurement of neutrino mixing...
, SingaraSingaraSingara was a strongly fortified post at the northern extremity of Mesopotamia, which for a while, as appears from many coins still extant, was occupied by the Romans as an advanced colony against the Persians...
, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; - Management Plan for the Eco-restoration of PallikaranaiPallikaranaiPallikaranai is a town in Tambaram Taluk of Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is now one of the Chennai prime suburbs.-Demographics:...
Reserve Forest; - Status of Blewitt's OwlForest OwletThe Forest Owlet is an owl that is endemic to the forests of central India. This species belongs to the typical owls family, Strigidae. After it was described in 1873 and last seen in the wild in 1884, it was considered extinct until it was rediscovered 113 years later in 1997 by Pamela Rasmussen...
in Araku ValleyAraku ValleyAraku Valley is a hill station and a Mandal in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.It has got an amazing nature with thick forests surrounded all over.Araku is popular for its world famous coffee plantations.For every traveller it gives a wonderful and a unique...
and Environmental Management Plan in View of the Proposed Bauxite Mines.
Education
The SACON is affiliated with Bharathiar UniversityBharathiar University
Bharathiar University is a postgraduate university in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India. Named after Tamil poet Subramania Bharathiar, the university was established in February 1982 and was recognized by the University Grants Commission in 1985....
. In 2006–07, 26 SACON students were enrolled for PhD and 2 for M.Phil. One PhD degree was awarded and three theses for PhDs submitted. Eight M.Sc students from different colleges and universities did their dissertation work at SACON for the partial fulfillment of their degree.
The nature education division conducted several programmes including a one month residential vacation training programme on Bioresources for School Children.
SACON collaborates with the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
, Bangalore, on the People’s Biodiversity Register through School Children program, involving five local schools.
In addition to student research programs, other nature education programmes conducted during 2006–07 included Nature Camps for students of Coimbatore,
Wildlife Week Celebrations,
Nature Awareness Competitions and Sálim Ali Trophy awards,
Young Bird Watcher of the Year contest,
Sálim Ali Birth Anniversary celebrations,
World Wetlands day Programme,
The 3rd Children’s Ecology Congress (CEC) and
Naming common butterflies in Tamil.
“Song of Sparrow: Nature Education e-Newsletter” a bimonthly e-newsletter was also published and circulated to the Salim Ali Naturalists Forum during the period.
SACON also conducted short term training programmes on instrumentation and analytical techniques and offered analytical service to industries and academic institutions.
Consultations and conferences
A rapid environmental assessment of the Kundah pumped storage hydro electric project in the Nilgiris was completed. Another EIA project for the Mumbai trans-harbour sea link project: Study of Flamingos and migratory birds was completed.
Andhra Pradesh Community Based Tank Project — Environmental and Social Assessment Study was also completed.
During 2006–2007, SACON conducted a Workshop on Conservation and Management of Biodiversity in Teesta Valley, Sikkim at Gangtok
Gangtok
Gangtok is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of . The town, with a population of thirty thousand belonging to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, is administered...
, Sikkim.
A National Conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Human Well-being was conducted jointly with the Department of Zoology, Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
.
SACON staff presented papers in 58 national and international conferences, workshops and seminars and delivered 13 invited/plenary lectures.
