Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
SACON came into being at a time when the twin issues, namely the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources figured in the global agenda. Realizing the indispensability of holistic approach in avian studies and conservation, the major objectives of SACON have been envisaged encompassing the entire natural history with ornithology at the centre stage.
- To design and conduct research in ornithology covering all aspects of biodiversity and natural history
- To develop and conduct regular courses in ornithology and natural history for M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. and also, short term orientation courses in the above subjects
- To create data bank on Indian ornithology and natural history
- To disseminate knowledge relating to ornithology and natural history for the benefit of the community
- To confer honorary awards and other distinctions to persons who have rendered outstanding services in the fields of ornithology and natural history
Spread across 55 acres, the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) is located in Anaikatti, in Coimbatore. It is an ideal place for researchers to study more about the multiple ecosystems in this area. If you are a wildlife enthusiast and someone who loves exploring nature in detail, then you should not miss this place.
Salim Ali was an ornithologist and naturalist who was referred to as the Birdman of India. The Ministry of Environment and Forest and Bombay Natural History Society set up a research centre for ornithology and natural history in 1990. It was later named as Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in memory of the bird Man. Its campus was moved to the current campus among the woods of Anaikatti in the Western Ghats. Situated next to Coimbatore South Reserved Forest SACON has eco-friendly buildings with natural lights and open atriums. The building was built by Laurie Baker, known for his eco-friendly architecture. The campus has 402 species of flowering plants and 177 species of birds. With 107 species of butterflies, there is a mass movement of butterflies happening in the months of October and November.
With more than around 17 scientists, the institute has been instrumental in discovering four flora and fauna species. The Institute has a large library that is accessible to both students and guests. Guests can visit SACON between 9.00 am to 5.30 pm and the entry is free. The institute is closed on weekends and there are special guidelines for taking photography.
SACON CAMPUS
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.
SACON Campus harbours amazing biodiversity; both faunal and floral. The campus with 55 acres of area is the habitat for 402 species of flowering plants belonging to 84 families which include Sandalwood trees, an IUCN Red Listed tree species. Of the 177 bird species recorded from the campus, 100 species are resident birds, 24 bird species are occasionally found, 27 species are winter migrants and 15 species are local migrants.
SACON LOCATION
SACON is located 24 kilometers north-west of Coimbatore city at an altitude of 600-610 m above MSL, adjacent to Coimbatore South Reserved Forest, Coimbatore Range, Coimbatore Division, in sylvan settings bestowed with a salubrious climate in the foothills of Western Ghats. Altogether 54.73 acres was purchased (in 1994, 34.04 acres and in 1995, 20.09 acres) from private land owners for establishing SACON Campus.
Campus Biodiversity
Being the home of 107 species of butterflies, SACON campus harbours nearly one third of the butterfly species found in the Western Ghats. The campus is famous for the astonishing mass-movement (local migration) of the butterflies during October-November. A total of 44 species of odonates are also recorded from the campus. Eight species of amphibians and 40 species of reptiles are also found on the campus. Out of 21 mammal species found, two are ‘Endangered’ (Asian Elephant: Elephas maximus and Indian Wild Dog: Cuon alpines); four are ‘Vulnerable’ (Sambar: Rusa unicolor, Gaur: Bos gaurus, Leopard: Panthera pardus, and Sloth Bear: Melursus ursinus); one is ‘Near Threatened’ (Rusty-spotted Cat: Prionailurus rubiginosus) and the remaining 14 species are ‘Least Concern’ according to the IUCN Red List categorization.