Natural History Collection

The BNHS since its inception has been involved in the study of Flora and Fauna of the Indian subcontinent. The movement which was started in 1883 by eight people exchanging notes of Natural History interest and depositing the specimens collected by them, has today resulted in one of the finest Natural History Collections of Asia. As the Collections were made during pre-independence days, they include specimens from the Oriental region, mainly present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. The Societys collections include rare species like the Jerdons Courser, which was rediscovered and collected in 1986 (the earlier record was from 1900), the Lesser and Bengal Floricans, Great Indian Bustard and Whitewinged Wood Duck. The Pinkheaded Duck now extinct, is a prized possession in the Collections of the Society. There are also, many specimen of rare mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, beetles and other insects of the Sub-continent. This is indeed a very rare and prestigious collection on the faunal biodiversity of India, one of the best from the Oriental region, also including some extinct species. The present collections are the result of the extensive surveys that were undertaken in different regions of the Indian subcontinent. The bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian collections are catalogued and computerised for easy accessibility. Specimens have been identified taxonomically to the species level and also include rare collections from extralimital regions such as Myanmar and Sri Lanka. A total of 26,000 birds, 20,000 mammals, 7500 amphibians and reptiles and 50,000 insects are maintained. The collections have been accorded the status of a National Heritage Collection, being a precious asset of the nation.