India added 683 new species to its fauna in the year 2024, which included 459 new species and 224 species new records. The country also added 433 taxa of flora during the same period, which included 410 species and 23 infra-specific taxa of plants.
The details of new discoveries and new records were released by Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in Kolkata on Monday (June 30, 2025).
The maximum number of new discoveries of fauna in 2024 was recorded from Kerala — with 101 species (80 new species and 21 new records) — followed by Karnataka — 82 (68 new species and 14 new records). Tamil Nadu recorded 63 discoveries with 50 new species and 13 new records.
In the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country, Arunachal Pradesh recorded 72 animal discoveries (42 new species and 30 new records), Meghalaya 42 new discoveries (25 new species and 17 new records) and West Bengal 56 new discoveries (25 new species and 31 new records). Andaman and Nicobar Islands, another biological hotspot in the country, recorded 43 new discoveries of fauna from the region, which included 14 new discoveries of fauna and 29 new records.
In terms of plant discoveries, the highest number of flora discovered was from Kerala (58), followed by Maharashtra (45) and Uttarakhand (40). The new plant discoveries for 2024 record 154 angiosperms, 4 pteridophytes, 15 bryophytes, 63 lichens, 156 fungi, 32 algae and 9 microbes. The hotspot regions, such as the Western Ghats and the North-Eastern regions, have contributed 35% of total discoveries. India has recorded and documented 56,177 species of plants — angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, and algae etc.
Diversity of fauna
In terms of diversity of fauna, the country has recorded 1,05,244 species and subspecies encompassing all forms of faunal life from protists to mammals.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the country’s premier institution for faunal exploration and research, publishes Animal Discoveries every year detailing the new discoveries of fauna. Similarly, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), the country’s premier organisation for plant research and taxonomy, publishes Plant Discoveries every year detailing the new discoveries of flora.
ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said Animal Discoveries, 2024 not only showcased the richness of India’s biodiversity but also emphasised the essential role that systematic research and taxonomic expertise played in the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development.
“India, recognised as one of the 17 megadiverse countries worldwide, occupies a vital position in the ecological framework of our planet. Despite covering only 2.4% of the earth’s land area, the nation is home to approximately 8% of the world’s recorded biodiversity.” she added.
The significant faunal discoveries for the year 2024 include two new genus and 37 species of reptiles and five new species of amphibians. The significant discovery of reptiles included Dravidoseps gouensis, belonging to the new genus, and Anguiculus dicaprioi is a member of Colubridae family, named after Hollywood star, Leonardo Di Caprio.
“The plant discoveries for the year 2024 include wild relatives of many potential horticultural, agricultural, medicinal, and ornamental plants such as begonia, impatiens (balsams), legumes, zingibers, orchids etc. which introduces us to the myriads of benefits and possibilities available at our disposal,” said BSI Director Pratibha Gupta.
In terms of flora, the significant discoveries include important orchid species such as Bulbophyllum gopalianum, Coelogyne tripurensis, Gastrodia indica and Gastrodia sikkimensis. Several new species belonging to important plant groups such as legumes, zingers, grasses, etc were also discovered.
Published – June 30, 2025 10:01 pm IST