Essay, Biography or Paragraph on “Salim Ali” complete biography for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Salim Ali

India: World Famous Ornithologist

Birth : 1896 Death : 1987

Dr. Salim Ali is one of the most widely known ornithologists in the world today. It was the undying curiosity of a ten year old Salim in 1906, that turned him into an internationally acclaimed bird scientist. Even as a child, Salim Ali was fond of roaming in the free atmosphere of nature. For this reason, he also failed to complete his education. Salim was born on November 12, 1896. When he grew up, he was sent to Burma to help his brother in his work. In Burma, Salim Ali’s heart lay in observing different kinds of birds.

When he returned home, his interest in birds developed into a passion and he took a formal training to become an ornithologist. He was appointed a guide in the museum of the famous Bombay Natural History Society. Then he proceeded to Germany for higher studies in this field.

On his return to India, Salim Ali came to know that his post had been abolished which rendered him jobless. With whatever he had, he bought a house near Bombay port. There he studied the behaviour of weaver birds through his keen observation. In 1930, he published reserach papers based on this, which established him as an ornithologist.

During his long and distinguished career as an ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali has received ‘many awards and honours. Recently Government of India nominated him to Rajya Sabha.

Dr. Salim Ali has also written several books. The book of Indian Birds written in 1941 and Handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan written in 1948 are his two classical works and are considered classics. He has also written a very readable autobiography under the title Fall of a Sparrow. He died on 20th June 1987 at Bombay.