S. S. Davidson

S. S. Davidson
Born	Nagercoil, India
Occupation	Author, environmentalist, conservationist
Nationality	Indian

S. S. Davidson is one of the pioneer educators ^[1] of the environmental movement in Tamil Nadu, India. Davidson was born at Nagercoil in Kanyakumari District, India. He earned a degree in English from Scott Christian College, after which he joined as faculty in English. He completed his Master's Degree and Master of Philosophy in English from Annamalai University ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

At Nagercoil, he started a Tribal Foundation club that would form the genesis of campus-based nature conservation activities and Awareness among the Tribal populace of the Western Ghat Hills of Southern Tamil Nadu. ^{[6] [7]} The club also became involved in studying threats to the environment. Additionally, Davidson also leads the movement against the Hill quarry, and the conversion of paddy fields, wetlands, lakes and other pristine water bodies of the former South Travancore that was later renamed to Kanyakumari District. His activity in preserving the turtle and other coastal biodiversity is applauded by many conservationist across Southern India. He is credited with drawing up a plan to preserve the heritage wetlands of Nagercoil and the Suchindram Theroor Birds Sanctuary ^[8] Wetland Complex. ^{[9] [10]} He is also known to track bird migration patterns and study indigenous bird species of a given landscape or geography. ^{[11] [12] [13] [14]} His authentic work on the extinction and near extinction of certain bird species from the bio-diverse rich landscapes of Nagercoil is a must read for amateur ornithologists. ^{[15] [16] [17] [18]}

The campaign for saving the Travancore Star Tortoise from the brink of extinction is being spearheaded by him. ^{[19] [20]} In March 2014, close to 2000 Olive Ridley Sea Turtle eggs were released into the Arabian Sea along the coast of Kanyakumari District under his supervision. Their population has drastically dwindled, owing to population explosion, fishing and construction activities, use of banned purse seine nets and trawlers, and unplanned beach tourism along the coasts of Nagercoil and Kanyakumari District. ^{[21] [22]}

He is the author of a few research papers ^[23] on mushrooms and environmental books. ^{[24] [25] [26] [27] [28]}

References

1. "Stories get a new beginning"
2. "Slideshow | School celebration in Western Ghats by the Tribal Foundation Nagercoil: International Tiger Day 2014 – Tamil Nadu"
3. "Jumbo pic sparks man-animal conflict debate"
4. "Juvenile Asian palm civet rescued near Nagercoil"
5. "Concern over depletion of fresh water resources"
6. " Education reaches the unreached in Kaani hamlets"
7. "Horticulture saplings distributed to Kaani tribal people – Tamil Nadu"
8. "Tourists, farmers happy to see White Ibis in lake"
9. "More watch towers for bird sanctuaries in Kanyakumari"
10. "Turtle hatchlings released on India's Kanyakumari coast on World Turtle Day"
11. "Jacanas, Bee-eaters and Weaver birds face threat"
12. "From Mongolia to Tirunelveli"
13. "Need to protect sparrows stressed"
14. "A haven for sparrows"
15. "Bird species face threat from all sides"
16. "Ground-nesting bird species endangered in Tamil Nadu"
17. "Need for more study on ground-nesting birds"
18. "Environmentalists join hands in order to protect biodiversity: Saving four rare bird species in the Kanyakumari region inhabited by the Kani community"
19. " ‘Save the Turtle’ project launched"
20. "Plea to save Travancore tortoise from extinction"
21. "Over 8000 turtle hatchlings released"
22. "Olive Ridley nests, eggs found on Kanyakumari beaches"
23. "Chennai student conducts study on mushrooms of Western Ghats"
24. "Food culture of Kani tribe studied"
25. "Flamingos arrive at Manakudi estuary"
26. "Jacanas, Bee-eaters and Weaver birds face threat"
27. "Need to conserve water stressed"
28. "International Biodiversity Day focuses on marine wealth"