The year 2022 marked significant headway for India’s biodiversity knowledge with an increase in the number of animal and plant species added to its faunal and floral databases. This information was compiled in two separate booklets, “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023” by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), and “Plant Discoveries 2022” by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
New Additions to India’s Faunal Database
In 2022, India enriched its faunal database by adding a total of 664 animal species. This consists of 467 entirely new species and 197 new records, which signifies species found in India for the first time. These discoveries span across various categories: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, with invertebrates accounting for the majority of additions at 583 species, and vertebrates comprising 81 species.
Among the states, Kerala topped the list by contributing 14.6% of the total discoveries, followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh also made considerable contributions. Notable findings included the long-fingered bat Miniopterus phillipsi, the bamboo-dwelling bat Glischropus meghalayanus, both discovered in Meghalaya, and the Sela macaque (Macaca selai), a new macaque species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
New Additions to India’s Floral Database
India’s floral database expanded with the addition of 339 new plant taxa in 2022. These discoveries were comprised of 186 taxa that are entirely new to science and 153 taxa as new distribution records for India. Seed plants constituted the largest group, with dicotyledons accounting for 73% and monocotyledons for 27%.
The Western Himalayas and the Western Ghats were the main regions with a significant number of discoveries, contributing 21% and 16% respectively. Kerala stood out as the state with the highest number of plant discoveries, accounting for 16.8% of the total. Remarkable plant discoveries included new genera Nandadevia Pusalkar, found in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, and Nilgiriella Pusalkar, endemic to the southern Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
About the Botanical Survey of India
The Botanical Survey of India is the leading research organization responsible for conducting taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources in the country under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Established in 1890, the organization has headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal, and nine regional circles across various parts of India.
About the Zoological Survey of India
The Zoological Survey of India, another organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, was established in 1916. The ZSI, with its headquarters in Kolkata and 16 regional stations spread across different geographic locations, serves as a national center for faunistic survey and exploration of resources, contributing to the knowledge advancement on the rich faunal diversity of the country.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
A few previous year questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination related to India’s biodiversity are presented below:
“Prelims Q. In which part of India has our scientists discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 meters and has orange coloured fruit pulp? (2016) (a) Andaman Islands (b) Anaimalai Forests(c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast
Ans: (a)
Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: Soil formation, Prevention of soil erosion, Recycling of waste, Pollination of crops. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (d)
Mains Q. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)
The source of the information is The Hindu.”
