<p>A high-level Environment Ministry panel has decided to bring its first report on the country's endangered species -- both plants and animals -- by the end of next year.<br /><br />"To begin with, two documents, one each on 'Red list of Indian Plants' and 'Red list of Indian Animals' would be released during the COP-11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in New Delhi in October 2012," a Ministry document said.<br /><br />The Red listing process would follow the framework of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regional guidelines and criteria, it said.<br /><br />The document was prepared by the 10-member steering committee, chaired by Jagdish Kishwan, Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife).<br /><br />Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) would be the focal points for the Red listing of plant and animal species, respectively.<br /><br />The Ministry decided to carry out the Red listing process on a regular basis to end the "paucity of information for the general public on the status, biology and major threats to the endangered species" of the country, which has a staggering variety of flora and fauna.<br /><br />Many organisations are working independently in the country on the Red listing process. The Ministry would provide necessary coordinating mechanism to integrate the efforts of scientific and voluntary organisations into a scientifically acceptable useful output.<br /><br />"The directors of BSI and ZSI would co-opt as many experts -- both individuals and organisations -- as required, to form a core group, each for plants and animal species separately for completion of the Red listing exercise within the stipulated time period," the document said.<br /><br />The Steering Committee would monitor and guide the process of Red listing and the divisions concerned of the Ministry would allocate necessary budgetary provisions for undertaking the exercise.<br /><br />Last month, the Ministry in collaboration with the ZSI, had released a comprehensive document on 'Critically Endangered Animal Species of India'.<br /><br />As per the latest (2011) quantitative evaluation done by the IUCN, there are 57 critically endangered species of animals in India.</p>
<p>A high-level Environment Ministry panel has decided to bring its first report on the country's endangered species -- both plants and animals -- by the end of next year.<br /><br />"To begin with, two documents, one each on 'Red list of Indian Plants' and 'Red list of Indian Animals' would be released during the COP-11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in New Delhi in October 2012," a Ministry document said.<br /><br />The Red listing process would follow the framework of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regional guidelines and criteria, it said.<br /><br />The document was prepared by the 10-member steering committee, chaired by Jagdish Kishwan, Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife).<br /><br />Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) would be the focal points for the Red listing of plant and animal species, respectively.<br /><br />The Ministry decided to carry out the Red listing process on a regular basis to end the "paucity of information for the general public on the status, biology and major threats to the endangered species" of the country, which has a staggering variety of flora and fauna.<br /><br />Many organisations are working independently in the country on the Red listing process. The Ministry would provide necessary coordinating mechanism to integrate the efforts of scientific and voluntary organisations into a scientifically acceptable useful output.<br /><br />"The directors of BSI and ZSI would co-opt as many experts -- both individuals and organisations -- as required, to form a core group, each for plants and animal species separately for completion of the Red listing exercise within the stipulated time period," the document said.<br /><br />The Steering Committee would monitor and guide the process of Red listing and the divisions concerned of the Ministry would allocate necessary budgetary provisions for undertaking the exercise.<br /><br />Last month, the Ministry in collaboration with the ZSI, had released a comprehensive document on 'Critically Endangered Animal Species of India'.<br /><br />As per the latest (2011) quantitative evaluation done by the IUCN, there are 57 critically endangered species of animals in India.</p>