Overview
The BNHS Library specialises in wildlife, ecology, zoology, botany, and environmental conservation, and is recognised as an information resource for researchers across India and abroad. It holds rare 19th and 20th century volumes that are difficult to find elsewhere, along with a substantial photographic archive that includes work by noted naturalists such as E. P. Gee and Sálim Ali.
Collection highlights
The library also holds photographs, lithographs, and transparencies documenting India's natural history over more than a century. The full catalogue can be searched online.
Hours & membership access
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| Open | Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Members | Refundable deposit of ₹750 to borrow up to two books at a time |
| Non-members | ₹50 daily visitor fee per person |
| Loan period | 30 days, renewable once |
| Late fee | ₹1 per day after the loan/renewal period expires |
| Reference-only material | Theses, journals, reports, and CDs do not circulate – in-library use only |
| Photocopying | ₹2 per page |
| Remote borrowing | ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹4,000 annual delivery fee (see Services below) |
Library services
1Circulation
Members can borrow up to two books for 30 days, renewable once, against a refundable deposit.
- Reference works stay in the library
- Damaged books must be replaced by the borrower
- Non-members pay a daily visitor fee and must replace lost items
2Photocopying & document delivery
Members and visitors can request copies of journal articles or book excerpts, delivered in person or by post.
- Up to one journal article, or 20 pages / one chapter of a book, per request
- ₹2 per page; cover-to-cover copying of a book is not permitted
- Photocopied material can also be posted to institutions and individuals who cover the associated cost
3Reference & awareness programme
Library staff help readers locate resources and answer research queries in person or by email, and run orientation sessions for new members introducing the collection and how to use it for research.
4Books by post / courier
A remote-borrowing option for members outside Mumbai.
- ₹3,000 refundable deposit + ₹4,000 annual delivery fee
- Up to 20 books a year, two at a time, 30-day loans renewable once
- Reference works and theses are excluded; return postage is the borrower's responsibility
Book donation policy
Many of the treasures on our shelves arrived as gifts from generous members and well-wishers, and we're always glad to hear from anyone looking to give their books a good home. Here's how it works:
- Email us a list of the books you'd like to donate at library@bnhs.org and director@bnhs.org – we'll review it and get back to you before you send anything over.
- We're currently focused on growing our collection in wildlife, forests, and climate, so we ask that donations fall within these subjects.
- Every donation is gratefully acknowledged with a receipt, and the books go on to serve researchers and nature lovers for years to come as part of the BNHS collection.
- As with any donation, we do ask for the flexibility to house, share, or pass on the books in whatever way best serves the library and its readers.
Rare book conservation
The BNHS Library's collection of rare natural history books remains in demand to this day – these are irreplaceable resources for both present and future generations of researchers. But that same age and rarity puts them at risk: climatic, physical, chemical, and biological factors all threaten the survival of these fragile volumes over time.
As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure – and the same holds true in the science of preservation. We approach it from two angles: preventive conservation, which protects books before damage occurs, and curative conservation, which restores books that have already deteriorated.
Since 2010, the National Archives of India (Ministry of Culture) has supported BNHS in this effort. So far, 81 books have been restored, and a further 45 were taken up for restoration in 2018–19.
Preventive conservation
- Round-the-clock air conditioning in storage areas
- Regular pest management and shelf cleaning
- Smoke detectors and ongoing condition monitoring
Curative conservation
- Professional restoration carried out by the Himalayan Society for Heritage and Art Conservation
- Archival-quality materials used throughout the restoration process
New arrivals
A sample of recent additions to the collection – browse the full catalogue online for the complete, searchable list.
Swipe left to see all columns →
| Acc. No. | Author | Title | Year | Publisher | Pages | Classification No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25441 | Lawrence, R.D. | White Puma | 1990 | Henry Holt and Company | xiv, 329p. | 823 |
| 25442 | Ripley, S. Dillon | Naturalist's Adventure in Nepal: Search for the Spiny Babbler | 1978 | Ratna Pustak Bhandar | xiii, 297p. | 598.29(5496) |
| 25443 | Govekar, Ravikiran | Concise Field Guide to the Plants of Vidarbha | 2015 | Research Wing, Forest Department, Govt. of Maharashtra | xxii, 330p. | 582.16(54792) |
| 25444 | Kapadia, Harish | Passage to Himalaya | 2001 | Oxford University Press | xix, 351p. | 915.4 |
| 25445 | Dalvi, Shashank | Search for India's Rarest Birds | 2024 | Juggernaut | vi, 266p. | 598.2(54) |
| 25446 | Wilson, Horace Hayman | History of British India: From 1805 to 1835 | 1848 | James Madden | xv, 608p. | 954 |
| 25447 | Sullivan, Edward | Conquerors, Warriors and Statesmen of India | 1866 | John Murray | xi, 432p. | 954 |
| 25448 | Barth, A. | Religions of India | 1882 | Trubner and Company | xxiv, 369p. | 294(54) |
| 25449 | Welsh, James | Military Reminiscences | 1830 | Smith, Elder and Company | viii, 347p. | 954 |
| 25450 | Deane, A. | Tour Through the Upper Provinces | 1823 | C and J. Rivington | xii, 291p. | 915.4 |