International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- context:The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the updated Red List of Threatened Species 2026, assessing the conservation status of global species.
- The updated list includes 175,909 species, of which 49,505 species are threatened with extinction.
About IUCN
- Started in 1964 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- It is the world’s leading database for assessing the conservation status of plants, animals, and fungi.
- Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland.
- More than 160,000 species have been assessed worldwide.
- These categories classify species into nine clearly defined conservation status groups based on extinction risk severity.
Red List Categories
- Extinct (EX): No individuals remain alive after exhaustive surveys across known and expected habitats.
- Extinct in the Wild (EW): Species survive only in captivity, cultivation, or outside their natural historical range.
- Critically Endangered (CR): Species face extremely high extinction risk due to severe population loss, minimal numbers, or rapid habitat collapse.
- Endangered (EN): Species face very high extinction risk with significant decline, restricted range, or continuing population decrease.
- Vulnerable (VU): Species face high extinction risk if current threats persist without conservation intervention.
- Near Threatened (NT): Species close to qualifying for threatened categories due to emerging population or habitat pressures.
- Least Concern (LC): Species remain widespread and abundant with stable populations and low extinction risk.
- Data Deficient (DD): Insufficient information exists to assess extinction risk accurately.
- Not Evaluated (NE): Species have not yet undergone Red List assessment.
IUCN Red List Endangered Species in India
- India hosts significant biodiversity, with numerous endemic species assessed under the IUCN Red List across multiple threat categories.
- Pygmy Hog (Critically Endangered): The world’s smallest wild pig, restricted to Assam’s tall grasslands, with survival linked to intact grassland ecosystems.
- Himalayan Brown Bear (Critically Endangered): Found in high altitude regions of north India, threatened by habitat loss and human conflict.
- Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Critically Endangered): Endemic to Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha Tiger Reserve, threatened by hunting and restricted range.
- Kondana Rat (Critically Endangered): Restricted to a one square kilometre plateau near Pune, vulnerable to tourism and grazing pressures.
- Malabar Civet (Critically Endangered): Endemic to the Western Ghats, severely affected by deforestation and plantation expansion.
- Tiger (Endangered): Global population increased to 3,890 in 2015, with India hosting the largest share despite global decline elsewhere.
- Asiatic Lion (Endangered): Restricted to Gir forests, Gujarat, facing disease and habitat concentration risks.
- Red Panda (Endangered): Himalayan endemic threatened by habitat fragmentation and poaching.
- Hangul or Kashmir Stag (Endangered): Confined to limited Himalayan habitats, impacted by grazing and habitat degradation.
- Lion tailed Macaque (Endangered): Western Ghats endemic, sensitive to habitat fragmentation from plantations and infrastructure
- More than 50% of molluscs (such as snails, clams, mussels, octopus and squid) are threatened, mainly due to deep-sea mining activities.
- The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) was moved from Near Threatened to Vulnerable due to industrial development, climate change and habitat loss.
- The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) of Australia improved from Endangered to Near Threatened due to conservation efforts against invasive cats and foxes.
Current Facts
- ‘Project INROAD’ (Supporting Development through Indian Natural Rubber Operations) is an initiative to expand natural rubber plantations in Northeast India and West Bengal.
TIRUKKURAL
Since true benignity, that grace exceeding great, resides
In kingly souls, the world in happy state abides.”
Explanation:
The world exists and functions harmoniously because of the great ornament (or virtue) of a gracious demeanour and compassionate eyes.
