By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur, May 14: Arvind Mishra, a renowned bird watcher and conservationist, has recently been appointed to the governing council of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Mishra, a local resident, is the first from the state to be nominated as a member of the BNHS governing council.
The BNHS, established in 1883, is a 140-year-old non-governmental organization dedicated to biodiversity research and conservation efforts. Bridging the gap between science and society to promote conservation is one of the organization’s major objectives.
Numerous notable naturalists, including ornithologists Dr. Salim Ali and S. Dillon Ripley, have been associated with the BNHS. Mishra, popularly known as the “bird man of Bihar,” currently serves as the state coordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN).
As a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission, Mishra has served on the Bihar government’s Board of Wildlife for fifteen years. Presently, he is actively engaged in the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) program of Wetlands International as the state coordinator.
Mishra’s community-based efforts in conserving the greater adjutants, a highly threatened species commonly known as the “Garud,” have garnered widespread recognition.
Mishra’s nomination to the BNHS governing council is significant, considering the society’s vital role in raising awareness about conservation issues and promoting sustainable practices for wildlife protection. The BNHS governing council, comprising twenty members, is responsible for making policy decisions for the society.
