ZSI says 457 species of birds and animals migrate to India annually

3 Mar 2020

ZSI says 457 species of birds and animals migrate to India annually

ZSI says 457 species of birds and animals migrate to India annuallyIndia's biodiversity is a unique treasure, not just for mankind but also the animal world. Our country plays host to 457 migratory species every year.

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had for the first time compiled a list of migratory species of India under the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS). It had put the number at 451.
 	Six species were added later. They are the Asian elephant, great Indian bustard, Bengal florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and smooth hammerhead shark.

Globally, more than 650 species are listed under the CMS. India, with over 450 species, thus plays a very important role in their conservation.

Birds make up the bulk of migratory species. Their number stands at 380.

They include the bird families: Muscicapidae (small insectivores), Accipitridae (raptors or birds of prey), Anatidae (ducks) and shorebirds (found near the seas).

The estimate of mammal species has risen to 46 after the Asian elephant and the Urial were added to the list.

Vespertilionidae (bats) make up the largest group of migratory mammals, while dolphins come in second.

Fishes make up another important group of migratory species.

This includes 12 sharks and 10 ray fish. Adding the oceanic white-tip shark and smooth hammerhead shark to the list took the total number of migratory fish species to 24.

7 reptiles, which include 5 species of turtles and the Indian gharial and saltwater crocodile, are among the CMS species found in India.

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India’s biodiversity is a unique treasure, not just for mankind but also the animal world. Our country plays host to 457 migratory species every year. […]

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