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,…
