Sri Vijaya Puram | January 20, 2026
Source: PIB
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, recently underscored the critical importance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ biodiversity for India’s environmental and economic security during his visit to the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Sri Vijaya Puram.
The Minister made these remarks during his visit to the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) at Sri Vijaya Puram, where he interacted with scientists and officials and reviewed the Centre’s research and conservation work.
Highlighting the strategic significance of island ecosystems, Dr Singh said robust scientific research must go hand in hand with conservation and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in fragile island regions. He emphasized that institutions such as ZSI play a key role in generating authentic scientific data that informs national policies on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and ocean-based economic growth, including India’s Blue Economy vision.
Dr Singh was received by Dr C. Sivaperuman, Scientist-F and Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Centre, who briefed him on the mandate and activities of the institution. The briefing covered ZSI’s extensive work in taxonomy, molecular systematics, DNA barcoding, biodiversity assessment and capacity building, aimed at documenting and conserving the islands’ unique faunal diversity.
Established in 1977, the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre of ZSI has completed nearly five decades of scientific service and has emerged as a nodal institution for tropical island biodiversity research. The Centre has completed close to 90 research programmes across multiple faunal groups and its scientists have published 85 books and over 850 research papers in national and international journals.
The Minister also visited the ZSI Museum, a major educational and tourist attraction in the islands, which houses around 3,500 specimens representing 22 faunal groups. Officials informed him that the museum receives an annual footfall of 75,000 to one lakh visitors, including students, researchers and tourists. Dr Singh showed keen interest in the reference collections and exhibits highlighting endemic, endangered and threatened fauna of the archipelago.
He was further apprised that ZSI scientists have reported more than 20 species new to science, including the Narcondam Tree Shrew, and documented nearly 900 new faunal records from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India and Southeast Asia, underscoring the global ecological significance of the region.
Dr Singh was also briefed on the role of ZSI, Port Blair, as the nodal centre for India’s first National Coral Reef Research Institute (NCRRI), aimed at strengthening coral reef research and monitoring in Indian waters. He noted that such focused institutions are essential for safeguarding fragile marine ecosystems and enabling evidence-based marine governance.
Interacting with the staff, the Minister stressed the need for closer integration of scientific research with public policy, conservation planning and community awareness. He appreciated the work being carried out at the Centre and described his visit as “extremely informative and educative,” adding that well-curated zoological collections not only advance scientific knowledge but also foster public consciousness about India’s rich and irreplaceable biodiversity.
