The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests will consider additional funding for the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) for institution building activities.
Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh told The Hindu during his visit here on Saturday that the Ministry could support institution building which, in turn, could provide linkages to similar organisations.
He also plans to provide funds to the Salim Ali Centre for Natural History and Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), based in Coimbatore, for institution building activity and strengthen it as a centre of excellence.
Mr. Ramesh, who inspected the impact of the August 7 oil spill off the Mumbai coast, took time off to visit the BNHS office at Hornbill House and held discussions with director Asad Rahmani.
The BNHS, founded in 1883, is the second oldest conservation organisation in the world. Mr. Ramesh has already asked it to conduct a quick assessment of the impact of the oil spill on mangroves and marine life. It will also give expert opinion on the environmental impact assessment of the proposed Navi Mumbai airport as directed by the Minister.
The SACON would have closer ties with the BNHS, with which it grew in partnership. The BNHS president would be heading the SACON as well in the future, Mr. Ramesh said. So far it has been headed by the Union Environment Minister. The Ministry would provide more fellowships for research in critical areas.
It had already spent over Rs. 10 crore on the SACON and some additional support would be provided.
In 1988, the necessity for the study and conservation of birds, wildlife and biodiversity prompted the Ministry to establish the SACON as a public-NGO partnership between the Ministry and the BNHS under the Centre of Excellence Scheme. The SACON was registered in 1990 with the object of establishing and developing a Centre of Excellence to assist, institute, conduct and promote scientific research in ornithology, and of species, habitats and ecosystems and developing scientific solutions, according to official information.
The SACON, which began functioning in 1992, is situated on 55 acres at Anaikatty, 25 km from Coimbatore. It has undertaken over a hundred research and environment assessment projects of around Rs. 12 crore. The centre has produced several reports and papers in scientific and professional journals, apart from books and presentations in seminars, symposia and workshops.
