Indian ornithologist and author (died 1987)

Salim Ali

Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularised ornithology in India. He became a key figure behind the Bombay Natural History Society after 1947 and used his personal influence to garner government support for the organisation, establish the Bharatpur bird sanctuary and prevent the destruction of what is now the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala.