SACON came into being at a time when the twin issues, namely the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources figured in the global agenda. Realizing the indispensability of holistic approach in avian studies and conservation, the major objectives of SACON have been envisaged encompassing the entire natural history with ornithology at the centre stage.
- To design and conduct research in ornithology covering all aspects of biodiversity and natural history
- To develop and conduct regular courses in ornithology and natural history forM.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. and also, short term orientation courses in the above subjects
- To create data bank on Indian ornithology and natural history
- To disseminate knowledge relating to ornithology and natural history for the benefit of the community
- To confer honorary awards and other distinctions to persons who have rendered outstanding services in the fields of ornithology and natural history
During the 1980's, Salim Ali, who was known as the father of Indian Ornithology took initiatives to establish a national institution which would take up the challenging tasks of developing expertise and knowledge in the field of ornithology and nature conservation. However his noble dream could not be materialized during his life time. The efforts were taken forward by the Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change, Government of India (then Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF)) and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) with which Salim Ali was associated all his life, to achieve the dream of Salim Ali.
Their unrelenting efforts came into fruition in 1990 with the establishment of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to conduct research in the field of Ornithology and Natural History under the MoEF. It was decided to name the Centre as 'Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON)' in memory of Dr. Salim Ali. The BNHS was entrusted with the task of establishing the Centre. It was decided to set up the Centre in Peninsular India and Coimbatore was short listed as the “Head Quarters” in view of its strategic location with respect to biodiversity rich areas in Western Ghats. SACON, started functioning in a rented building at Kalampalayam, 10 kms away from Coimbatore city on the Siruvani Road in 1991.