Mohammed Saleem

Mohammed Saleem^[1] is an environmental activist, environmental campaigner, National Geographic educator and explorer. He is the co-founder of Environment Conservation Group, a nonprofit NGO based out of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu that works on environmental conservation, advocacy and educational awareness. He has dedicated his entire life to the cause of environmental and wildlife conservation. He is also an ardent birder.^[2][3]

Early life and education

Mohammed Saleem was born in Coimbatore and is the youngest son of Rahamathulla and Saina. Saleem did his schooling at Carmel Garden Matriculation Higher Secondary School. He completed his bachelor's in computer science in RVS college of Arts and Science. He was actively involved in environmental activities right from his college days as student coordinator of Tahr Span Nature club. An avid learner he has attended various courses on environment, wildlife, including Disaster Preparedness from University of Pittsburgh, Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University, Health Effect of Climate Change from Harvard University, Ecosystem Services: A Method for sustainable development from University of Geneva to name a few. He is also trained in Basic Life Support from PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research.^[4][5]

Wildlife rescue

Saleem has undertaken multiple rescue operations leading to seizure of hundreds of wild animals from illegal hunters and pet vendors and is also instrumental in eliminating hundreds of snares meant to trap wild animals. He has been recognised by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau among its first batch of volunteers in India.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] [14]}

Environment conservation

An environmental activist; Saleem has raised his voice to save trees, animals and wetlands. His work have been covered in various media including All India Radio, ANI, Arunachal Times, BBC News, Ceylon News, Dainik Bhaskar, Deccan Chronicle, Dhaka Courier, Dinamani, Dinakaran, Dinamalar, Dinathanthi, Divya Bhaskar, Doordarshan, DT Next, Eastern Mirror Nagaland, Enadu, India Today, Kalaignar TV, Koodu, Kutch Mitra, Makkal TV, Malaimurasu, Malayalam Manorama, Mint Lounge, NDTV, News7, News18, Northeast Today, Puthiyathalaimurai, Radio City, Radio Mirchi, Rajasthan Patrika, Sakshi, Sanctuary Asia, South China Morning Post, Simplicity, Sun TV, Suryan FM, The Hindu, Thejas News, The New Indian Express, The Times of India, United News of Bangladesh and Vikatan.^{[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]}

Education and awareness

A National Geographic educator and coordinator of Kids for Tigers he has been very active in spreading awareness to younger generations. He has been invited to various schools from Tribal school in Sundarbans to the prestigious Doon School. He was also invited to talk to students at Tribhuvan University - Kathmandu, Wild Team- Dhaka to name a few. Saleem has also conducted sessions for Forest officers across the country. He received the Guinness World Record certificate for his role in " The largest Recycling lesson" along with Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation in the year 2015.^{[citation needed]}

^{[24][25][26][27][28][29][30]}

SEEK expeditions

Saleem led four expeditions covering all 28 states of India and neighbouring countries Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The team visited various wildlife scantuaries and national parks documenting roadkills, endangered animals and India's rich natural heritage. During the expeditions the team also visited various educational institutions to spread awareness on the importance of saving wildlife and their natural habitats. The team was also successful in documenting some of India's most threatened animals.^{[31][32][33][34][35][36]}

Natural disaster relief programs

Saleem has been very active along with his Environment Conservation Group team during time of climate disasters such as 2018 Kerala floods and Tamil Nadu floods of 2015 South India floods. He and his team spent days at Cuddalore providing relief to the people worst affected by the unprecedented floods. His selfless service during the floods earned him the Real Hero Award from Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation in the year 2015.^{[citation needed]}

Save racecourse

Mohammed Saleem was instrumental in highlighting the issue of Coimbatore Racecourse, he led a mass movement which was successful in persuading the Coimbatore Corporation to give up the building of unwanted structures in a racecourse at the cost of the environment.^{[37][38][39][40]}

Awards and recognition

• Member - IUCN Commission on Education and Communication 2021-2025
• Grantee - National Geographic Society - 2021
• Distinguished Alumni Award- RVS College of Arts & Science - 2018
• National Geographic Educator – 2018
• Executive Member – Govt. Polytechnic College for Women – 2018
• Mitafest Awards - Madras Institute of Technology - 2017
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Volunteer - 2016
• Brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission - Coimbatore, since 2016
• "Nature's Bodyguard" Times of India, February 2015.
• Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation- Real Hero Award 2015
• Board Member -Centre for Counselling and Guidance – Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, Pollachi, 2014 –
• British Council RAAC ABS ECO Awards - 2014
• "Jumbo man of the jungle" Deccan Chronicle, June 2014.
• "The Good Earth" The Hindu, August 2013
• "Top ten magnificent tiger defenders of India" Sanctuary Asia, August 2013.

References

1. Jeshi, K. (24 December 2019). "Coimbatore's Mohammed Saleem and team spot some rare birds on their Great Indian Bird Expedition across South India". The Hindu.
2. "Status of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus in south-western India" (PDF). Indianbirds.in. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
3. "Rare Black Baza bird sighted in Kovai". 14 December 2016.
4. Sairam, R. (27 January 2015). "Prey base vital to sustain tiger population, say wildlife experts". The Hindu.
5. "Film on eco-conservation wins international laurels". The Times of India. 8 June 2018.
6. "Snares to trap wild animals found in forest area - Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
7. "Forest Department, NGO rescue parakeets". The Hindu. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
8. "Hill myna rescued from house in Coimbatore | Coimbatore News". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
9. "Bird comes looking for the man who treated it in Coimbatore". Simplicity. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
10. "Activists rescue Asian Koel caught in kite line". The Hindu. 31 December 2014.
11. "Rare Mottled Wood Owl rescued". The Hindu. 3 November 2012.
12. Thomas, Wilson (15 December 2020). "Hunters target birds in grasslands of Kalangal near Coimbatore". The Hindu.
13. Palaniappan, V. S. (6 August 2012). "Munias, parakeets rescued". The Hindu.
14. "11 Rose-ringed parakeets rescued". The Hindu. 29 January 2015.
15. "The Mahogany tree stands tall now". Covaipost.com. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
16. "Activists protest Tamil Nadu Electricity Board dumping sand on lake bank | Coimbatore News". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
17. "Coimbatore people swear by conservation on World Environment Day". Covaipost.com. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
18. "13 elephant deaths in 7 months, but officials attribute fatalities to sickness, infighting". DTNext.in. 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
19. "Rare bird sighted in Coimbatore". The Hindu. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
20. Thomas, Wilson (16 November 2020). "Winter visitor Black baza spotted near Chadivayal". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
21. "Caught in act again: City cops dump debris near tank bund | Coimbatore News". Times of India. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
22. Shrikumar, A. (2 October 2015). "Slow down on the highways to save animals". The Hindu.
23. "Protest against felling of trees". The Hindu. 28 December 2014.
24. "Conservation group visits varsity". The Arunachal Times. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
25. "165 photographers take part in wildlife expo". Deccan Chronicle. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
26. "Young wildlife enthusiasts come together to celebrate nature and wildlife". WWF India. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
27. "'Greenspiration' inspires youth to take up wildlife conservation | Coimbatore News". Times of India. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
28. Shastry, Vaibhav (29 July 2013). "A thought for the tiger". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
29. "Need to save tigers stressed at Car-Free Sundays". The Hindu. August 2016.
30. "Covid-19 pushes birders to observe Salim Ali's birth anniversary in new ways". Lifestyle.livemint.com. 12 November 2020.
31. "Birders complete a trip to spot endangered species | Coimbatore News". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
32. Philip, Susan Joe (6 May 2019). "R.Mohammed Saleem on the Great Indian Bird Expedition that he undertook with three other members of Environment Conservation Group (ECG)". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
33. "4 environmentalists from city leave for 100-day cross-country bird expedition | Coimbatore News". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
34. "SEEK team gets insight on Amul Falcon conservation". Easternmirrornagaland.com. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
35. "Conservation group visits varsity". The Arunachal Times. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
36. "Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
37. "Coimbatore residents extend support to 'Save Race Course' online petition | Coimbatore News". Times of India. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
38. "Corpn gives up stadium plan near Thomas Park | Coimbatore News". Times of India. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
39. "Kovai walkers in black oppose 'concretisation' of Race Course area". Dtnext.in. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021.
40. "Online petition against model road project on Race Course Road". The Hindu. 16 April 2021.