India has taken a pioneering step in biodiversity conservation with the release of its first-ever checklist of fauna, encompassing a staggering 1,04,561 species. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) unveiled this comprehensive document during its 109th Foundation Day celebrations in Kolkata, marking a historic milestone in global biodiversity documentation.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the Fauna of India Checklist Portal, emphasising India's leadership role in biodiversity conservation. He declared that India has positioned itself as a global leader in biodiversity documentation with the launch of this checklist. The list covers a wide spectrum of taxa across 36 phyla and includes endemic, threatened, and scheduled species. It is a vital reference tool for taxonomists, researchers, academicians, conservation managers, and policymakers.
Among the notable findings highlighted in the checklist, India hosts approximately 455 mammalian species, with significant diversity recorded in states like Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. The report also underscores high mammalian endemism in the Western Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Islands regions.
The avifauna section reveals India's rich bird diversity, totalling 1,358 species, including 79 endemic species found exclusively within its borders. The Western Ghats emerges as a hotspot for avian endemism, housing the highest number of endemic bird species.
The unveiling ceremony, attended by officials, scientists, researchers, and representatives from Indian and overseas institutions, underscored the collaborative effort involved in compiling this monumental checklist. ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee delivered the welcome address, highlighting the extensive research and meticulous documentation that went into creating the Fauna of India Checklist Portal.
This initiative enhances our understanding of India's biodiversity and reinforces its commitment to conserving its natural heritage. As India pioneers this groundbreaking initiative, it sets a precedent for global biodiversity conservation efforts, positioning itself at the forefront of scientific research and environmental stewardship.
With inputs from multiple reports.