Dr. Salim Ali Lake

  • Dr. Salim Ali Sarovar (lake) popularly known as Salim Ali Talab is located near Delhi Gate, opposite Himayat Bagh, Aurangabad. It is located in the northern part of the city. During the Mughal period it was known as Khiziri Talab. It has been renamed after the great ornithologist and naturalist Salim Ali.

 

  • Salim Ali Talab as it is known in the present times also contains a small bird Sanctuary and a garden maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. Boating facilities is also available when the lake is full during the rainy & winter seasons. Recently it was dredged for silt to increase its water holding capacity.

Sálim Ali was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Known as the “birdman of India”, Salim Ali was among the first Indians to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and his bird books helped develop ornithology in India. He was awarded India’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 1976. He became the key figure behind the Bombay Natural History Society after 1947, and made use of his influence to garner government support for the organization and efforts towards the creation of the Bharatpur bird sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) and the halting of a dam project that threatened the Silent Valley National Park.