Launching the Fauna of India Checklist portal on the occasion of the 109th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata on Sunday, the minister said, “This is the first comprehensive document on fauna species reported from India. This portal will be an invaluable reference for taxonomists, researchers, academics, conservation managers and policy makers."
“The portal contains 121 checklists of all known taxa covering 36 phyla,” he said, adding that the list includes “endemic, threatened and scheduled species”.
The checklist showcased about 455 mammalian species in India. The highest number of species was recorded in Meghalaya (163 species) while Kerala (134) recorded the lowest number.
Among union territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (68), Ladakh (59), and Delhi (38) have the highest mammalian diversity.
About 52 mammal species were listed as endemic to India, with the highest presence in Tamil Nadu (23 species), Karnataka (19), and Kerala (19).
The list also includes 1,358 bird species, of which 79 are listed as endemic.
Meanwhile, the Minister, besides releasing ZSI's prestigious publication, 'Animal Discoveries-2023', also inaugurated the Animal Taxonomy Summit-2024, a three-day summit organized by the Zoological Survey of India.
The book shows that India added 641 new animal species in 2023, including 442 completely new species and 199 species newly recorded in the country. 339 new plant species were also added to it.
“The portal contains 121 checklists of all known taxa covering 36 phyla,” he said, adding that the list includes “endemic, threatened and scheduled species”.
The checklist showcased about 455 mammalian species in India. The highest number of species was recorded in Meghalaya (163 species) while Kerala (134) recorded the lowest number.
Among union territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (68), Ladakh (59), and Delhi (38) have the highest mammalian diversity.
About 52 mammal species were listed as endemic to India, with the highest presence in Tamil Nadu (23 species), Karnataka (19), and Kerala (19).
The list also includes 1,358 bird species, of which 79 are listed as endemic.
Meanwhile, the Minister, besides releasing ZSI's prestigious publication, 'Animal Discoveries-2023', also inaugurated the Animal Taxonomy Summit-2024, a three-day summit organized by the Zoological Survey of India.
The book shows that India added 641 new animal species in 2023, including 442 completely new species and 199 species newly recorded in the country. 339 new plant species were also added to it.
