Documenting India’s civilisational and natural heritage.
Jerdon’s Courser belongs to the family Glareolidae, which includes coursers and pratincoles. It is the only member of the genus Rhinoptilus occurring in India; the other members of the genus are found in Africa.
Published across 22 volumes, the Catalogue of Lepidoptera of India records 13,703 species belonging to 3,705 genera, 240 subfamilies, 102 families and 31 superfamilies. The documented Indian species represent approximately 8.25% of the known Lepidoptera diversity of the world.
The Kangayam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most celebrated indigenous cattle breeds—a compact, muscular and
The history of the Amritmahal is closely connected with the rulers of Mysore. The term “Amrit Mahal” has commonly been interpreted as referring to an establishment or department created for maintaining cattle associated with the royal household. The original herds reportedly included recognised Mysore cattle types such as Hallikar, Hagalvadi and Chitaldroog or Chitradurga cattle.
Hallikar cattle originated in Karnataka and are officially recognised by the ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources as an indigenous Indian cattle breed. The breed has been assigned the national accession number INDIA_CATTLE_0800_HALLIKAR_03008.
The tiger has occupied a prominent place in Indian culture for centuries, appearing in art, royal emblems, coins, folklore and temple traditions. Its association with strength, sovereignty and the natural world contributed to the Royal Bengal Tiger being declared India’s National Animal in 1972.
The Lesser Florican is known by several regional names. In parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, it is commonly called Kharmor, Khamor, Tanmor or the “grass peacock,” names inspired by the male’s extraordinary monsoon display. The bird belongs to the family Otididae, which also includes the Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican.
The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources recognises Rathi as a distinct Indian cattle breed originating in Rajasthan, while the National Dairy Development Board classifies it primarily as a milch breed. Its recognised home tract includes Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar and Jaisalmer districts, with a particularly strong concentration around Lunkaransar in Bikaner. Rathi cattle are also reared in Hanumangarh and adjoining parts of north-western Rajasthan.
For much of the year, the Bengal Florican remains hidden among tall grasses. During the breeding season, however, the male transforms the quiet grassland into a dramatic stage. He rises above the vegetation in a sudden display flight, revealing bright white wings against a glossy black body before descending into his territory. This unforgettable performance has made the bird one of the most celebrated symbols of the Terai and Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystems.
The breed developed in the Sindh region of undivided India, particularly around Karachi and Hyderabad and the adjoining Las Bela region of present-day Balochistan. It is also known by names such as Sindhi, Red Karachi and Malir. India recognises Red Sindhi as an indigenous milch breed, with organised populations maintained in states including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Kerala and Assam.
