SURVEY OF FAUNA
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) a premier institution under the Ministry has been undertaking survey, exploration and research, on rich faunal diversity of the country since its inception in 1916.
- With its headquarters at Kolkata and 16 regional centres located at different parts of the country, ZSI in recent years reoriented its plan of work by grouping the survey and studies.
- Objectives:
- The current mandate of ZSI is survey, collection documentation (including the traditional knowledge associated with animals) and ex situ conservation of wild animal diversity of the country.
- Identification of red list species and species rich areas needing conservation,
- Development of national database of Indian animals including museum specimens, live specimens, paintings, illustrations etc.
FOREST RESOURCES AND SURVEY
- Forest Survey of India (FSI), an organization under the Ministry is engaged in the assessment of the country’s forest resources on a regular interval.
- Established on June 1, 1981, the Forest Survey of India succeeded the “Pre Investment Survey of Forest Resources” (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with the sponsorship of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material for establishment of wood based industries in selected areas of the country.
- In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for collection of reliable data through countrywide comprehensive forest resources survey at regular intervals.
- Consequently, PISFR was reorganized into FSI in June 1981. After a critical review of activities, the mandate of FSI was refined in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country.
MANGROVES
- India has a total mangrove cover of 4662 sq.kme. 0.14% of the country’s land area, 3% of the global mangroves area and 8% of Asia’s mangroves.
- Mangroves are plants that survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil-a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.
- The mangrove ecosystems constitute a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mudflats.
- Mangrove vegetation has been reported in all the 12 coastal states/UTs.
- India is home to some of the best mangroves in the world.
- West Bengal has the maximum mangrove cover in the country, followed by Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- However, not all coastal areas are suitable for mangrove plantation as it requires an appropriate mix of saline and freshwater, and soft substrate like mudflats to enable it to grow and perpetuate.
CORAL REEFS
- The Indian reef area is estimated to be 2,373 sq. km. The four major coral reef areas identified for intensive conservation and management in the country are: i) Gulf of Mannar, ii) Gulf of Kachchh, iii) Lakshadweep and iv) Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The Ministry provides financial assistance to the state forest departments for all the four identified coral reef areas for activities like monitoring, surveillance, education and awareness.
- Besides, the Ministry also supports research and development activities with its management and various aspects of pollution in these areas.
