The Birdman of India

A self addressed cover with a permanent pictorial postmark. 

Postmark: 

Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History 

Anaikatty, Coimbatore 

The bird in the postmark is a Lesser Florican 

Sálim Moizuddin Abdul Ali (12 November 1896 – 20 June 1987)  was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India. He became a key figure behind the Bombay Natural History Society after 1947 and used his personal influence to garner government support for the organisation, create the Bharatpur bird sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) and prevent the destruction of what is now the Silent Valley National Park. Along with Sidney Dillon Ripley he wrote the landmark ten volume Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan, a second edition of which was completed after his death. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1958 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1976, India's third and second highest civilian honours respectively.  Several species of birds, a couple of bird sanctuaries and institutions have been named after him.

The Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) is a national centre for information, education and research in ornithology and natural history in India. It was inspired by and named in honour of Salim Ali, the leading pioneer of ornithology in India. It is an autonomous organisation established in 1990 as a public- NGO partnership between the MoEF&CC, and the Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS) under the Centre of Excellence Scheme and registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act. Its headquarters are at Anaikatti, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. SACON is associated with the Ministry of Environment and Forests SACON's mission is:

"To help conserve India’s biodiversity and its sustainable use through research, education and peoples’ participation, with birds at the centre stage".

The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), also known as the likh or kharmore, is the smallest in bustard family and the only member of the genus Sypheotides. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent where it is found in tall grasslands and is best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the Monsoon season. The male has a contrasting black and white breeding plumage and distinctive elongated head feathers that extend behind the neck. These bustards are found mainly in northwestern and central India during the summer but are found more widely distributed across India in winter. The species is highly endangered and has been extirpated in some parts of its range such as Pakistan. It is threatened both by hunting and habitat degradation. 

All said and done , this is the postoffice in Anaikatty- a small village 30 kms away from Coimbatore that offers this beautiful postmark ! 

A humble single room ‘shack’ manned by One postal clerk and a postman !