The Complete Details Of The 111th Foundation Day Of ZSI
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is set to celebrate its 111th Foundation Day on 30th June 2026, with the observance of ZSI Day. The organization will hold the Animal Taxonomic Summit–2026 from June 30 to July 2, 2026, after this celebration. On June 30, 2026, at the Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium, the Animal Taxonomy Summit–2026 will be formally inaugurated by the Honorable Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, and the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikary.
ZSI held a 111-hour hackathon on traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation to mark 111 years, and the grand finale is scheduled for June 29, 2026. All 16 of its regional centers participated in the hackathon at the same time. In order to address urgent environmental and conservation issues, the event brought together students, researchers, and innovators from a variety of backgrounds to bridge the gap between traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary technological advancements. 192 teams were selected to compete in the Regional Level-I competition, which was held at the regional centers of ZSI, out of the 360 teams that registered to compete.
The top-ranked team from each of ZSI’s 16 Regional Centers was selected to participate in the National Level-II competition (Semi Final), which took place at ZSI/NRC, Dehradun. The top five teams from this competition moved on to the Grand Finale, which will take place at Kolkata’s Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium on June 29, 2026.
The renowned ZSI & BSI publications Animal Discoveries–2025 and Plant Discoveries–2025, which include new species and records added to the global and Indian biodiversity database, will be released by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal and the Hon’ble Union Minister on the occasion of ZSI Day, June 30, 2026.
Other important releases will be
- Abstract Book: Animal Taxonomy Summit 2026 (English & Hindi)
- Records of the Zoological Survey of India (Special Issue: ATS 2026)
- Fauna of West Bengal
- Jeev Darpan
- Faunal Diversity of Dry Deciduous Forests of West Bengal
- Faunal Diversity of Protected Areas of West Bengal – (Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary, Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary, Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary)
ZSI will also unveil Version 3.0 of the Fauna of India Checklist during the 111th ZSI Day celebrations.
The PaleoIndia Portal, jointly developed by the Zoological Survey of India and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai, will be launched.
On the occasion of ZSI Day 2026, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) will formalize three significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, and Kalyani University, West Bengal.
A cultural program will be presented after these formal proceedings. Through music, dance, narration, and visual storytelling, this program traces a journey from Bengal’s diverse ecosystems to contemporary efforts in biodiversity conservation, and from the nature-centric traditions of the Mongol Kabyo and Maa Chandi to the universal compassion of Sri Chaitanya. The program, which combines science, ecology, and heritage, emphasizes how nature, culture, and society are intertwined and encourages a renewed dedication to sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
Priyanka Dutta