Andaman & Nicobar Biodiversity Vital for India’s Environmental and Economic Security: Dr Jitendra Singh

Dr Jitendra Singh highlights the strategic importance of Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ biodiversity during his visit to the Zoological Survey of India, calling it vital for climate resilience, conservation policy, and India’s Blue Economy goals.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, has underlined the critical importance of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ biodiversity for India’s environmental stability, climate resilience, 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 described the island ecosystem as a “living laboratory of biodiversity”, where scientific research, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods must progress together.

Addressing scientists and officials, Dr Singh stressed that island biodiversity plays a strategic role in shaping national policies related to conservation, climate adaptation, and ocean-based economic growth. He highlighted that scientific institutions like ZSI provide critical data required for evidence-based decision-making in biodiversity protection and marine governance.

The Minister was briefed by Dr C. Sivaperuman, Scientist-F and Officer-in-Charge, on the Centre’s research activities and its contribution to documenting and conserving the unique fauna of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Centre’s work spans taxonomy, DNA barcoding, molecular systematics, biodiversity assessment, and capacity building.

Established in 1977, the Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre of ZSI has completed nearly five decades of research and has emerged as a key institution for tropical island biodiversity studies. Over the years, it has undertaken close to 90 research projects and produced extensive scientific literature, significantly strengthening India’s biodiversity knowledge base.

Dr Singh also visited the ZSI Museum, which houses around 3,500 specimens across multiple faunal groups and serves as an important hub for public education and awareness. The museum attracts thousands of visitors annually, including students, researchers, and tourists, and plays a key role in promoting conservation consciousness.

Scientists at the Centre have reported more than 20 species new to science and documented hundreds of new faunal records from the region, highlighting the global ecological significance of the Andaman & Nicobar archipelago. The Minister was also briefed on ZSI’s role as the nodal centre for India’s first National Coral Reef Research Institute, which focuses on coral reef monitoring and protection.

Emphasising the integration of scientific research with policy and community engagement, Dr Jitendra Singh said that strong scientific institutions are essential to achieving India’s environmental objectives and advancing the country’s Blue Economy vision in a sustainable manner. He praised the ZSI team for their contributions, calling the visit an informative and inspiring experience.