The Bombay Natural History Society was founded in 1883 for the purpose of exchanging notes and observations on natural history and exhibiting interesting specimens. Today it is the largest non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the sub-continent engaged in the conservation of nature and natural resources, education and research in natural history, with members in over 30 countries. The society's guiding principle has always been that conservation must be based on scientific research -- a tradition exemplified by it's late president, Dr. Salim Ali.