Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

• It was established to promote the survey, exploration, and research of the fauna in the region. The activities of the ZSI are coordinated by the Conservation and Survey Division under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• It originated as a Zoological Section of the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
• Initially, the ZSI had eight regional centres across India. Currently, there are 16 regional centres spread across the country.
• Headquarters: Kolkata.
• It has been declared as a designated repository for the National Zoological Collection as per Section 39 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002.
• Primary objectives: Exploring, Surveying, Inventorying and Monitoring of faunal diversity in various states, selected ecosystems and protected areas of India; Taxonomic studies of the faunal components collected; Status survey of Threatened and Endemic species; Preparation of Red Data Book, Fauna of India and Fauna of States.
• Secondary objectives: GIS and Remote Sensing studies on recorded animal diversity as well as on threatened species; Chromosomal Mapping and DNA Bar coding.