India achieved an impressive step in the growth of its biodiversity with an indication of 683 new species being added into its fauna consisting of 459 novel species and 224 new records in 2024. Also the country had 433 new taxa of the flora that comprise of 410 new species and 23 infra-specific taxons. Union Minister for environment forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav has announced these discoveries through a release event in Kolkata. The findings are indicative of the rich diversity of India with the major role of the Western Ghats and the Northeast.
Context
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In 2024, India made impressive advances in the enlargement of its biodiversity: 683 new species were discovered in its fauna, 433 taxa in its flora.
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Fauna findings were the highest in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu whereas plants findings were the highest in Kerala, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
Key Points
Fauna Discoveries:
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Of this number 683 were new species added to the fauna of India, thus including:
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459 new species
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224 new items.
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Best Faunal States:
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Kerala: 101 discoveries (80 new, 21 new records species).
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Karnataka 82: (68 new species, 14 new records).
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Tamil Nadu: 63 find (50 new species, 13 new records).
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Arunachal Pradesh: hypotheses
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Meghalaya: 42 distributions (25 new species, 17 new records).
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West Bengal: 56 records ( 25 new species, 31 re-discovered).
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 43 finds (14 new species, 29 new records).
Best Faunal Species:
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Two new genus of reptiles, with Dravidoseps gouensis.
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5 new reptile species and 37 new amphibian ones.
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Anguiculus dicaprioi, a snake species named after Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
Flora Discoveries:
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433 new taxa were introduced to Indian flora, and they consisted of:
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four hundred and ten new forms.
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23 taxa on infra-specific levels.
Best Flora States:
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Kerala: 58 findings.
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Maharashtra: 45 findings.
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Uttarakhand: 40 findings.
It was found out:
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154 angiosperms.
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4 pteridophytes.
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15 bryophytes.
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63 lichens.
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156 fungi.
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32 algae.
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9 microbes.
Important Flora Discoveries:
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Major species of the orchids such as:
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Bulbophyllum gopalianum.
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Coelogyne tripurensis.
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Gastrodia sikkimensis, Gastrodia indica.
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Hotspot Regions:
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The Northeastern and the Western Ghats had contributed 35% of the total discoveries.
Total Flora Documentation:
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India has given a record of 56,177 plant species, angiosperm, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens, fungus, algae.
Conclusion:
India is making a giant stride in terms of biodiversity in the year 2024 due to the contribution of various states in growth of fauna and flora in the country. Such findings demonstrate the ecological wealth of the country and it is important to maintain these biodiversity hotspots as the biodiversity hotspots so that the coming generations would learn of its greatness.
