CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Botanical Survey of India, in its new publication Plant Discoveries 2020 has added 267 new taxa/ species to the country’s flora. The 267 new discoveries include 119 angiosperms; 3 pteridophytes; 5 bryophytes, 44 lichens; 57 fungi, 21 algae and 18 microbes.

Detailed explanation-2: -From about 70 per cent geographical area surveyed so far, over 46, 000 species of plants have been described by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. The vascular flora, which forms the conspicuous vegetation cover, comprises 15, 000 species.

Detailed explanation-3: -In India, 45000 plant species are recorded. In our country, more than 100000 plant species are still not described. Most of the plant species belong to flowering plants. About 20000 species of Angiosperms have been recorded.

Detailed explanation-4: -Botanical Survey of India- Key Initiatives Towards fulfilling the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation target on ex-situ conservation, the department has 12 botanical gardens spread in different biogeographical zones of the country.

Detailed explanation-5: -Possessing a tremendous diversity of climate and physical conditions, India has great variety of fauna, numbering 92, 037 species, of which insects alone include 61, 375 species.