K Shiva Shanker By

HYDERABAD: A list of endangered, vulnerable and threatened species of animals, reptiles, plants and other living organisms in TS, commissioned by the Telangana State Biodiversity Board (TSBDB), has been prepared and will be submitted to Ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

The list will help in sensitising the public about species which need to be conserved, say officials of the Board. For instance, Great Indian Bustard, a bird species which is critically endangered in TS, is in the list.

Species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, insects, arachnids (animals with eight legs), birds, mammals, medicinal and other kinds of plants, which are endangered and whose numbers are dwindling, are enlisted.

Before it is sent to the MoEF, the report will be submitted to the board’s members at a meeting which may be held in the third week of December.

TSBDB engaged Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions to prepare the list. It organised two meetings between experts and the foundation.

A scientist at TSBDB, Shilpi Sharma says that conservation of all species is important to maintain balance in the ecosystem. “We are planning to upload the list on our website so that people can add or suggest changes,” she said.

Officials say the list has been prepared following MoEF’s direction to all states to prepare the lists by April.