Mumbaikars get all access to natural history as BNHS opens its doors to public for the first time

An illustration of the Asian Hawk Eagle in the book, Birds of Asia

For decades, access to the Bombay Natural History Society library was largely limited to members, scientists, students and researchers. This week, that changes. As part of Open Library Week, the organisation is opening its shelves to the public, allowing anyone to explore a collection that spans wildlife, ecology, botany, environmental science and other related subjects.

World of books

The subject-wise sections reflect the range of BNHS's collections - mangroves, trees, fungi, zoology, bees, butterflies, fishes, vertebrates, reptiles, marine biology and more. During this Open Library Week anyone can browse and engage with the material. The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which started in 1883, is still in circulation today and is displayed alongside its latest editions. A highlight for visitors is the centenary edition of the Hornbill Journal (BNHS).

Dated photographs of Dr Salim Ali receiving the Padma Vibhushan (left) and with his camera, on display at the Open Library Week at BNHS. Pics courtesy/BNHS collection

For Gouri Uchgaonkar, head librarian of BNHS, the intent is simple: "We wanted people to access the number of books solely dedicated to natural history and to make them aware of the depth of knowledge housed within an organisation that has shaped conservation discourse in India for over a century."

Dr Salim Ali's archive

A dedicated corner in the library honours Dr Salim Ali, one of the most celebrated ornithologists, whose personal collection - letters, photographs and documents - was donated entirely to BNHS. The organisation is currently digitising this archive using in-house scanners and archival software, ensuring long-term preservation.

(From left) The centenary edition of the Hornbill Journal along with the other journals

Also check out the hand-painted lithographs from early BNHS journals, glass photographic plates, and a collection of 16 mm wildlife films shot by renowned conservationist EP Gee, many of which are being digitised into MP4 formats and will be made available to members soon.

An archaic door in the library houses some of its most valuable holdings: a hand-coloured lithograph of ornithologist John Gould's Birds of Asia, with all seven volumes and 35 parts, the Gazetteer of Bombay City and Island from 1909, and several other illustrated works on Indian ornithology from the mid-1800s. Assistant librarian Ankush Pimpalkar says, "We preserve these with utmost care as several of these volumes have undergone extensive restoration through grants from the National Archives of India, involving months-long chemical conservation processes," followed by a smirk from Uchgaonkar reiterating that this is the only room in the library that has air conditioning for the books.

A photograph of a vintage film that belonged to EP Gee

Kishor Rithe, director, BNHS, summed up this week's overarching aim: "We want people to come to BNHS and build the much-needed habit of reading and exploring natural history with the amount of books we have available for the visitors."

Our favourite finds

>> Hornbill Journal published by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
>> Bird Families of the World, illustrated by AD Cameron with CJO Harrison as consultant editor
>> The Fall of the Sparrow by Salim Ali
>> The Wildlife of India by EP Gee
>> The Elephant in Early Indian Art: From the Indus Valley to AD 650 by Kamal Shankar Srivastava

TILL February 6
AT The Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, opposite Lion Gate, Fort.
TIME 9.30 pm to 5.30 pm