India becomes first nation to prepare full list of Animals
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India has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first country to create a comprehensive inventory of all its animal species, totaling 104,561. The launch of the ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal’ was announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during the 109th Foundation Day celebration of the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata. This portal provides an accessible, detailed account of the country’s rich and diverse wildlife, underscoring India’s role as a leader in global biodiversity documentation. The initiative represents a monumental step in cataloging the nation’s fauna, which is crucial for both research and conservation.
The checklist encompasses 121 distinct groups of animals, covering everything from common species to those that are locally endemic, threatened, or protected. By including these varied categories, the portal not only offers a holistic view of India’s biodiversity but also draws attention to species that require urgent conservation efforts. Local and national policymakers, researchers, and conservationists can now rely on this centralized data to identify trends, understand the distribution of species, and implement focused conservation strategies to protect vulnerable wildlife.
This achievement is expected to enhance India’s global standing in biodiversity conservation and environmental science. By maintaining a comprehensive and updated record of its animal species, India can track changes in its wildlife populations over time, assess the impacts of climate change and human activities, and contribute to international biodiversity research and policy. The ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal’ will thus play a critical role in safeguarding the country’s natural heritage and promoting sustainable development for future generations.
