Overview

• Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh unveiled the initiative at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on 9 October.
• The programme targets peer‑reviewed assessments, National Red Data Books for flora and fauna, and a user‑friendly online database by 2030.
• The estimated ₹95 crore budget will come from public funds, with ₹80 crore from BSI and ZSI and ₹15 crore to be mobilised by IUCN India and CSS: India - WTI for capacity building.
• Implementing bodies include the Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India in collaboration with IUCN India, the IUCN SSC network, and the Centre for Species Survival: India - WTI.
• Plans include creating a pool of about 300 certified assessors and initiating phased species assessments to align with India’s CBD and Kunming–Montreal commitments.