# Zoological Survey of India

> organization

**Wikidata**: [Q12073557](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12073557)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoological_Survey_of_India)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zoological-survey-of-india

## Summary
The **Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)** is a government agency under India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, dedicated to the study of zoology, wildlife taxonomy, and the documentation of India's fauna. Established on **July 1, 1916**, it serves as a premier scientific organization for animal research, conservation, and biodiversity assessment in the country.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: July 1, 1916 (most precise date)
- **Parent Organization**: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India)
- **Headquarters**: M Block, New Alipore, Kolkata, India (Postal Code: 700 053)
- **Director**: Kailash Chandra (as of latest records)
- **Fields of Work**: Zoology, wildlife of India, taxonomy
- **ISNI**: 0000000122912164
- **ROR ID**: 00h6p6a20
- **GRID ID**: grid.473833.8
- **VIAF ID**: 137834491
- **Website**: [faunaofindia.nic.in](http://faunaofindia.nic.in/index.php) (English)
- **Logo**: [ZSI Logo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/ZSI_Logo.jpg)
- **DOI Prefix**: 10.26515
- **Aliases**: ZSI
- **Museum Digital ID**: 110289
- **BHL Creator ID**: 8755 (stated as "Zoological Survey of India.")
- **Social Media**: Facebook ([ZoologicalSurveyOfIndia](https://www.facebook.com/ZoologicalSurveyOfIndia))
- **Affiliated IDs**:
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: n50052044
  - National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007605331805171
  - Cinii Research ID: 1140845216493705856
  - Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued): 1338006420

## FAQs
### **What is the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)?**
The ZSI is a government agency under India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, focused on zoological research, wildlife documentation, and taxonomy. It plays a critical role in cataloging and conserving India’s diverse fauna.

### **When was the ZSI established?**
The ZSI was founded on **July 1, 1916**, making it over a century old. It is one of India’s oldest scientific institutions dedicated to animal studies.

### **Where is the ZSI headquarters located?**
The headquarters is in **Kolkata, West Bengal**, specifically at M Block, New Alipore (Postal Code: 700 053).

### **What are the primary research areas of the ZSI?**
The ZSI specializes in **zoology, wildlife taxonomy, and biodiversity studies**, with a focus on documenting and conserving India’s animal species.

### **Who currently leads the ZSI?**
As of available records, **Kailash Chandra** serves as the Director of the Zoological Survey of India.

### **What unique identifiers are associated with the ZSI?**
Key identifiers include:
- **ISNI**: 0000000122912164
- **ROR ID**: 00h6p6a20
- **GRID ID**: grid.473833.8
- **VIAF ID**: 137834491
- **DOI Prefix**: 10.26515

### **Does the ZSI have a public database or publications?**
Yes, the ZSI maintains an online portal ([faunaofindia.nic.in](http://faunaofindia.nic.in/index.php)) and publishes research under the DOI prefix **10.26515**.

### **Is the ZSI affiliated with international organizations?**
While the source material does not list specific international affiliations, the ZSI collaborates with global biodiversity and taxonomic databases (e.g., BHL Creator ID, Museum Digital ID).

## Why It Matters
The Zoological Survey of India is a cornerstone of **biodiversity research and conservation** in India, a megadiverse country with over **100,000 documented animal species**. By systematically cataloging fauna, the ZSI provides critical data for **wildlife conservation policies, climate change studies, and ecological research**. Its work supports India’s commitments to global biodiversity agreements (e.g., Convention on Biological Diversity) and helps mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. The ZSI’s **taxonomic expertise** also aids in identifying new species, tracking endangered populations, and combating illegal wildlife trade. As a **century-old institution**, it bridges historical and modern scientific methods, ensuring continuity in India’s zoological knowledge.

## Notable For
- **Oldest Zoological Institution in India**: Founded in **1916**, it predates India’s independence and remains a key scientific authority.
- **National Fauna Documentation**: The ZSI is the **primary agency** responsible for surveying and documenting India’s animal diversity.
- **Taxonomic Authority**: It sets standards for **species identification and classification** in India, contributing to global databases.
- **Government-Backed Research**: Operates under the **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**, ensuring policy-relevant outputs.
- **Public Access Portal**: Maintains [faunaofindia.nic.in](http://faunaofindia.nic.in/index.php), a **centralized repository** for Indian fauna data.
- **DOI-Published Research**: Uses the prefix **10.26515** for scientific publications, ensuring citable and traceable research.
- **Headquarters in Kolkata**: A historic hub for zoological studies in **Eastern India**, with regional offices across the country.
- **Collaboration with Global Databases**: Linked to **Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)**, **Museum Digital**, and other international platforms.

## Body
### **History and Establishment**
The **Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)** was established on **July 1, 1916**, under British colonial rule, making it one of the oldest scientific institutions in India. Initially conceived to systematically document the subcontinent’s fauna, it evolved into a **government agency** post-independence, now operating under the **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**. Its founding reflects early 20th-century efforts to institutionalize **zoological research** in South Asia.

### **Organizational Structure and Leadership**
- **Parent Body**: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Government of India).
- **Director**: **Kailash Chandra** (current leadership as per records).
- **Headquarters**: M Block, New Alipore, **Kolkata, West Bengal** (Postal Code: 700 053).
- **Regional Offices**: While not explicitly listed in the source material, the ZSI’s national mandate implies a network of field stations across India.

### **Core Functions and Research Domains**
The ZSI’s primary mandate includes:
1. **Fauna Survey and Documentation**:
   - Conducts **nationwide surveys** to record animal species, including vertebrates, invertebrates, and marine life.
   - Maintains **taxonomic records** critical for biodiversity assessments.
2. **Taxonomy and Systematics**:
   - Serves as India’s **authority on animal classification**, aligning with global standards (e.g., ICZN).
   - Publishes **checklists, monographs, and species descriptions**.
3. **Conservation Support**:
   - Provides **scientific data** for wildlife protection laws (e.g., Wildlife Protection Act, 1972).
   - Tracks **endangered and invasive species**.
4. **Public Outreach**:
   - Operates the **Fauna of India portal** ([faunaofindia.nic.in](http://faunaofindia.nic.in/index.php)), offering open-access biodiversity data.
   - Engages in **awareness campaigns** on wildlife conservation.

### **Scientific Contributions and Publications**
- **DOI Prefix**: **10.26515** (assigned for ZSI’s digital publications, ensuring permanent citations).
- **BHL Creator ID**: **8755** (Biodiversity Heritage Library), indicating contributions to **historical and modern zoological literature**.
- **Museum Digital ID**: **110289**, linking ZSI’s collections to global museum databases.
- **Research Outputs**:
  - **Taxonomic keys**, **red lists**, and **faunal inventories**.
  - Collaborations with **universities, NGOs, and international bodies** (e.g., IUCN).

### **Digital Presence and Identifiers**
The ZSI is indexed across multiple **authority databases**, ensuring its research is globally accessible:
- **ISNI**: 0000000122912164 (International Standard Name Identifier).
- **ROR ID**: 00h6p6a20 (Research Organization Registry).
- **GRID ID**: grid.473833.8 (Global Research Identifier Database).
- **VIAF ID**: 137834491 (Virtual International Authority File).
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n50052044.
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007605331805171.
- **Social Media**: Active on **Facebook** ([ZoologicalSurveyOfIndia](https://www.facebook.com/ZoologicalSurveyOfIndia)).

### **Affiliations and Collaborations**
While the source material does not detail specific partnerships, the ZSI’s **global identifiers** (e.g., BHL, Museum Digital) suggest collaborations with:
- **Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)**: Digitizing historical zoological texts.
- **Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)**: Sharing species occurrence data.
- **International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)**: Contributing to red-list assessments.

### **Notable Achievements**
- **Century-Long Legacy**: Over **100 years** of continuous faunal research.
- **National Repository**: The **Fauna of India portal** is a **one-stop resource** for Indian animal species data.
- **Taxonomic Discoveries**: Responsible for **describing new species** and revising classifications.
- **Policy Impact**: Data from ZSI surveys informs **India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan** and **CITES implementations**.

### **Challenges and Future Directions**
- **Biodiversity Loss**: The ZSI plays a key role in **monitoring species decline** due to habitat destruction and climate change.
- **Technological Integration**: Expanding **digital databases** and **AI-assisted taxonomy** for faster species identification.
- **Public Engagement**: Increasing **citizen science initiatives** to crowdsource fauna observations.

### **Related Entities and Context**
- **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**: The ZSI’s governing body, overseeing environmental policies.
- **India’s Biodiversity**: The ZSI’s work is critical in a country with **4 of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots** (Western Ghats, Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundaland).
- **Global Taxonomic Standards**: Aligns with **ICZN (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature)** and **WoRMS (World Register of Marine Species)**.

### **Conclusion**
The **Zoological Survey of India** stands as a **pillar of zoological science** in India, blending **historical expertise with modern research methods**. Its role in **documenting, conserving, and educating** about India’s fauna ensures its relevance in both **scientific and policy spheres**. As biodiversity faces unprecedented threats, the ZSI’s work becomes increasingly vital for **sustainable development and ecological balance**.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. ROR release v1.19
5. [Source](http://api.crossref.org/members/11064)
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
10. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)