Goa, June 30 -- India's biodiversity has received a significant boost with the addition of 709 new animal species and 353 plant taxa to the country's official records in 2025, further cementing its position as one of the world's most biodiverse nations. The latest findings were announced by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav in Kolkata on Tuesday.

According to the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the newly updated faunal database includes 483 species that are completely new to science, along with 226 species recorded in India for the first time. With these additions, India's total documented faunal diversity has reached 1,05,953 species.

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) also expanded the country's ...