Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh at the Zoological Survey of India’s regional centre at Sri Vijaya Puram today.
ZSI Highlights Andaman Islands’ Global Biodiversity Significance
Sri Vijaya Puram: Amid continuing environmental scrutiny of large-scale development proposals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today reiterated the government’s emphasis on biodiversity research, climate resilience, and ocean-based economic planning during a visit to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)’s regional centre here.
During the visit, Jitendra Singh said the biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was crucial for India’s environmental and economic security and described the archipelago as a “living laboratory of biodiversity.” He said cutting-edge science must work in tandem with conservation and sustainable livelihoods, and that institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India play a critical role in generating authentic scientific data that informs national policy on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and ocean-based economic growth.
His remarks came as the Union government continues to advance major infrastructure and development plans in the islands, including the proposed Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project, which has attracted environmental criticism and legal scrutiny due to its potential ecological and social impacts.
Officials said the Minister was briefed on the work of the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India, which documents, studies, and monitors the region’s unique faunal diversity. Established in 1977, the Centre has completed five decades of scientific activity and has emerged as a nodal institution for tropical island biodiversity research.
According to information presented during the visit, the Centre has carried out nearly 90 research programmes across multiple faunal groups. Its scientists have published 85 books and more than 850 research papers in national and international journals, contributing to India’s biodiversity knowledge base. The briefing outlined the Centre’s work in taxonomy, molecular systematics, DNA barcoding, biodiversity assessment, and capacity building.
Scientists informed the Minister that the Centre has reported more than 20 new species to science, including the Narcondam Tree Shrew, and documented nearly 900 new faunal records from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, and parts of Southeast Asia, underscoring the global ecological significance of the archipelago.
The Minister was also taken through the ZSI Museum at Sri Vijaya Puram, which houses around 3,500 specimens representing 22 faunal groups. Officials described the museum as one of the prominent educational and tourist destinations in the islands, playing a role in public outreach, awareness generation, and education. According to ZSI officials, the museum records an annual footfall ranging between 75,000 and 1,00,000 visitors, including students, researchers, and tourists. During the visit, the Minister examined curated reference collections, type specimens, and exhibits showcasing endemic, endangered, and threatened fauna of the islands.
ZSI officials further informed the Minister that the Port Blair centre serves as the nodal institution for India’s first National Coral Reef Research Institute, which aims to strengthen coral reef research and monitoring in Indian waters. The Minister said such focused scientific institutions are vital for safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems and supporting evidence-based marine governance.
Interacting with scientists and staff, the Minister emphasised the need for greater integration of scientific research with public policy, conservation planning, and community awareness. He said robust scientific institutions are central to achieving India’s environmental goals and realising the potential of the Blue Economy sustainably, particularly in ecologically sensitive island and coastal regions.
Expressing his appreciation for the work carried out at the Centre, the Minister thanked the scientists and staff for the briefing and museum walkthrough, describing the visit as an informative and educational experience. He said well-curated zoological collections not only advance scientific understanding but also contribute to building public consciousness about India’s biodiversity.
Dr Jitendra Singh is Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
– global bihari bureau
