Scientists recorded51 new animal species in Bengal in 2022, showed a compilation released by Union environment, forests and climate change minister BhupenderYadav in the city on Saturday.
The national figure for new species recorded or discovered is 664, according to the ministry’s figures.
Animal Discoveries: NewSpecies and New Records 2022 has been published by the Zoological Survey of India. Saturday was ZSI’s 108th foundation day.
“In 2022, Indian scientists discovered 664 animal species from different parts of India…. With the consistent efforts of the ZSI, currently nearly 1,04,000 species of animals are documented in the country,” Yadav said.
“The major contribution this year is the discovery of our new mammals, two birds,32 reptiles, seven amphibians and 36 fish,” said ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee.
“Uninterrupted laboratory work during the Covid lockdown in 2021-22 might have contributed to the record number of discoveries... Scientists were confined and had time to closely look at their work,” he said.
Two new fish discoveries were made from Petuaghat fishing harbour in East Midnapore. A new species of mollusc was recorded in New Digha.
Bengal stood fifth in the country in discovery of new species, after Kerala — the topper with 97.