Question

Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural history is located at
A)Pune
B)Hyderabad
C)Kerala
D)Coimbatore

Answer 1

The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) is a centre of excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Complete answer:
SACON's aims "To help conserve India's biodiversity and its sustainable use through research, education and peoples' participation with birds at the centre stage".
The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) was formally inaugurated on 5th June 1990 and registered as a society under Society Registration Act 1860. SACON is an autonomous organization and is a national centre for studies in Ornithology and Natural History. This centre was named after Dr. Sálim Ali as a gesture of appreciation for his great services to India's bird life and conservation of natural resources.

SACON's research activities are governed by a team of Research Advisory Council, constituted of renowned forest managers, wildlife scientists, environmentalists and policy makers. The scientific staff is organized into divisions of Avian Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Terrestrial Ecology, Ecotoxicology, Environmental Impact Assessment, Conservation Biology, Library and Information. The research projects of each division come under some major themes or initiatives. The core objectives of SACON are:
Design and conduct research in ornithology covering all aspects of biodiversity and explanation,
Develop and conduct regular courses in ornithology and explanation for MSc, MPhil and PhD candidates and short-term orientation courses within the above subjects,
Create a knowledge bank on Indian ornithology and explanation,
Disseminate knowledge regarding ornithology and explanation for the advantage of the community.

To confer honorary awards and other distinctions to persons who have rendered outstanding services within the fields of ornithology and natural history
SACON is situated at Anaikatti 24 kms northwest of Coimbatore. In its 55 acres of land with rolling hills, narrow streams and degraded and scrub forests, it has built up around 37,000 sq. ft of buildings for housing the office, laboratory, library, common facilities and hostel for a few students.
The thoughtful designs of the renowned architect Mr. Laurie Baker and also the environment friendly construction have added to the wonder of the place. The workspace is so designed that it's got natural light and breeze in abundance. SACON's location with the backdrop of Western Ghats, one amongst the 'hotspots' of biodiversity within the world, offers envious opportunities to undertake long term studies on various aspects of its varied avifauna, and on the biological principles and phenomena involved within the maintenance of the delicate systems. SACON sets up field stations in various parts of the country per the necessities of the research projects. SACON was dedicated to the state on February 11, 2000 by the Honourable Minister for Environment and Forests, Government of India, Mr. T.R. Baalu. Under its project "Salim Ali Natural Club Network'', nature clubs are set up in schools of Coimbatore. During the year, a workshop on conservation education was organised for the teacher in-charge of those nature clubs. Together with Birdlife International and Birdlife International Asia Council, SACON organised a workshop to finalise the strategies for collection of required information and preparation of a Red Data Book of the Birds of Asia Council, SACON organised a workshop to finalise the strategies for collection of required information and preparation of a Red Data Book of the Birds of Asia.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D)

Note: SACON came into being at a time when the dual issues, namely the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources figured within the global agenda. Realizing the indispensability of holistic approach in avian studies and conservation, the key objectives of SACON are envisaged encompassing the whole natural history with ornithology at the centre stage.