ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA

ZSI THE INDIA PREMIER INSTITUTE IN INDIA ESTABLISHED IN 1916.
ITS HEADQUATER IS IN KOLKATA

On the basis of the initial categorization of rare animals by the IUCN, the Survey published its first account in 1983,Threatened Animals of India by B K Tikader. The book covered 81 mammal, 47 bird, 15 reptilian and 3 amphibian rare species.

The IUCN revised its criteria in 1993, following which the Survey published The Red Data Book on Indian Animals (Vertebrata), by its director, A K Ghosh, in 1994. It covered 77 mammal, 55 bird, 20 reptilian and 1 amphibian species under the IUCN categories.

The IUCN criteria underwent major revisions in 2000. In addition, the Survey decided to incorporate guidelines fromCITES and the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act. The Survey published a list, based on the revised guidelines, of 150 mammals that are in need of protection.