2025 Animal and Plant Discoveries and ZSI Foundation Day

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The **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)** officially released two annual publications titled **Animal Discoveries 2025** and **Plant Discoveries 2025**.
These compilations were prepared by the **Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)** and the **Botanical Survey of India (BSI)** respectively.
The official release took place in Kolkata during the celebration of the **111th Foundation Day** of the **ZSI**.

India recorded **709 new animal species** in 2025, raising the country's total documented faunal diversity to **1,05,953 species**.
State-wise rankings show **Kerala** leading with **98 new animal species**, followed closely by West Bengal, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Key vertebrate findings include the Himalayan bat (**Myotis himalaicus**), Irwin's wolf snake (**Lycodon irwini**), and two fan-throated lizard species (**Ptyctolaemus mamdaphaensis** and **Ptyctolaemus siangensis**).
The Himalayan long-tailed Myotis (**Myotis himalaicus**) was found in Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayas as an insect-eating bat with a tail nearly equal to its body length, aiding in pest management.
The non-venomous, glossy black Irwin's wolf snake (**Lycodon irwini**) was discovered on **Great Nicobar Island** and named after nature educator **Steve Irwin**.
Researchers identified the Namdapha green fan-throated lizard (**Ptyctolaemus mamdaphaensis**) inside the **Namdapha Tiger Reserve** in Arunachal Pradesh.
Scientists discovered the Siang green fan-throated lizard (**Ptyctolaemus siangensis**) as a distinct lizard species in the Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The **Botanical Survey of India (BSI)** added **353 plant taxa** to the national floral inventory during 2025.
Non-vascular plants formed **57%** of these new floral additions, while vascular plants accounted for the remaining **43%**.
**Arunachal Pradesh** topped state discoveries with **49 floral findings**, with Uttarakhand and Kerala taking the next positions.
Important plant discoveries include a fern species (**Polystichum siangense**) in Arunachal Pradesh and a wild relative of custard apple (**Miliusa beddomei**) in the **Western Ghats**.
Researchers also documented a novel wild edible tooth-fungus species named **Hericium indicum**.

The **Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)** acts as the main national body under **MoEFCC** for animal taxonomy, biodiversity surveys, and zoological research.
Headquartered in **Kolkata, West Bengal**, the organization manages **16 regional centers** placed in distinct ecosystems like the Western Ghats, coastal areas, and high mountain zones.
Its historic roots began with the **Zoological Section of the Indian Museum** in **1875**, influenced by **Sir William Jones** who created the **Asiatic Society of Bengal** in **1784**.
The government officially set up the **ZSI** as an independent organization on **1st July 1916** to survey wildlife across undivided India.
After India ratified the **Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)** in **1994**, **ZSI** expanded its work beyond basic taxonomy into ecosystem conservation tracking.
Under the **Biological Diversity Act, 2002**, **ZSI** serves as the official custodian of the **National Zoological Collection**, holding millions of animal specimens.
The institute conducts **Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)** and uses tools like **DNA barcoding** and wildlife forensics including the **Pangolin Indexing System** to stop illegal wildlife trade.
To aid national policy, **ZSI** regularly releases landmark publications including the **Indian Red Data Book**, the **Fauna of India** series, and the annual **Animal Discoveries** directory.

Annual publications like **Animal Discoveries 2025** and **Plant Discoveries 2025** record and publish newly identified fauna and flora in India every year.
Discovering new species strengthens biological knowledge, improves habitat conservation strategies, and provides evidence for **Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)**.
These scientific documenting efforts help India fulfill its global commitments under the **Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)**.