The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has published a first-of-its-kind database in its publication titled “Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones: Islands of India”. This captures all faunal species found on the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) islands. The islands, covering only 0.25% of India’s geographical area, are home to over 10% of the country’s fauna species. This demonstrates the rich biodiversity of the islands and their status as one of India’s most diverse ecosystems.
About the Zoological Survey of India
Founded in 1916, the Zoological Survey of India is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. With its headquarters in Kolkata and 16 regional stations across the country, the organization works on exploring and surveying fauna in India, contributing to knowledge about the country’s rich biodiversity.
Faunal Diversity
Some of the unique species found only on the A&N Islands include the Narcondam hornbill, Nicobar megapode, Nicobar treeshrew, long-tailed Nicobar macaque, and the Andaman day gecko. Marine life includes the vulnerable Dugong or sea cow and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. Three terrestrial mammalian species have been deemed Critically Endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List – the Andaman shrew, Jenkin’s shrew, and Nicobar shrew. The marine faunal diversity is further enriched by the presence of coral reefs, along with over 500 species of hard or stony corals.
Key Findings and Threats to Biodiversity
Tourism, illegal construction, and mining activities pose significant threats to the biodiversity of the islands, which is also vulnerable to climate change and geographical volatility. Impact on local communities, ecological fragility of the area, and geological instability are often overlooked in favour of commercial interests. Any additional stress can severely impact the islands’ biodiversity, potentially leading to the extinction of endemic fauna.
| Threats | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Potential loss of habitat, pollution |
| Illegal Construction | Destruction of natural landscape, loss of habitat |
| Mining | Erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity |
| Climate change | Alteration of habitats, extinction of species |
About the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar islands, popularly known as ‘Bay Islands’, spread like a broken necklace in the Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar. They cover an area of 8249 sq km, offering a glimpse of a typical tropical ecosystem with lush rainforests, mangrove swamps and a delicate, highly endemic marine biota. The islands are home to six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) and are rich in limestone, sandstone, and clay. Notably, they include two volcanic islands – the Narcondam and the Barren islands.
India’s Biodiversity Hotspots
India is home to four biodiversity hotspots – the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundalands, and Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. These areas are rich in diverse species and offer different types of habitats, further enriching India’s biodiversity. They include regions in India and also span across several other countries.