Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Celebrates ZSI’s 109th Foundation Day in Kolkata
On June 30, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav attended the 109th foundation day celebration of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata. He was the chief guest, and Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State, MoEFCC, was the guest of honour. The event also saw the presence of Jitendra Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, MoEFCC.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
At a press conference, ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee announced the ‘Animal Taxonomic Summit-2024’ scheduled for July 1-3, 2024, and the launch of the ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal.’ The summit will feature over 300 research papers and participation from 40 institutional heads and global experts. The ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal’ will be the world’s first complete fauna checklist.
New Discoveries and Publications
‘Animal Discoveries-2023’ and ‘Plant Discoveries’ will be released, featuring over 600 new animal species and 300 new plant species from India. Other important releases include the ‘Current Status of Faunal Diversity in Lakshadweep,’ ‘Fauna of India-109 Barcodes,’ and the ‘Barcode Atlas of Indian Fishes.’
International Collaborations
More than 10 MoUs will be exchanged between ZSI and various universities and institutes, including international collaborations with the Ghana Wildlife Society. The ‘International Society of Zoology (ISZ)’ will also be launched to enhance global biodiversity understanding and protection.
Cultural Program and Themes
A cultural program will highlight environmental issues and ZSI’s efforts. The Animal Taxonomic Summit-2024 will focus on three themes: Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution; Ecology and Animal Behaviour; and Biodiversity and Conservation. The summit will feature over 350 delegates and conclude on July 3, 2024, with recommendations for the Government of India.
About ZSI
Established on July 1, 1916, the ZSI is a premier research institution under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It documents India’s faunal resources through surveys and exploration, advancing knowledge of the country’s rich faunal diversity.
