About Us

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with a legacy spanning over a century, stands as a pillar of excellence in documenting, preserving, and disseminating knowledge about India’s rich and diverse faunal heritage. Since its inception, ZSI has played an indispensable role in enlightening scientists, academicians, and the general public with the latest insights into the nation’s vast faunal wealth. Through relentless exploration and research, ZSI continues to unravel the intricate mysteries of India’s biodiversity.

In an age where accessibility and digital connectivity are paramount, ZSI recognizes that the most effective way to share this invaluable knowledge is through dynamic, user-friendly, and regularly updated digital platforms. These platforms aim to offer comprehensive information on the diversity and distribution of Indian fauna—particularly Lepidoptera—featuring detailed taxonomic data and high-quality illustrations via dedicated websites.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the Zoological Survey of India, a groundbreaking initiative has been initiated: the first-ever digital repository solely dedicated to the Lepidoptera of India. This website, rich with voluminous information on the taxonomy of Lepidoptera, has been meticulously developed for both the scientific community and the general public. It provides a common platform for Indian style="padding: 0 20px !important;" and global researchers, academicians, environmentalists, agriculturists, forest officials, and amateur naturalists to exchange and access scientific knowledge related to Indian butterflies and moths.

The ZSI houses an extraordinary Lepidoptera collection at its Headquarters in Kolkata and across its 16 regional centers. These collections, comprising over 4,000 species and subspecies of butterflies and 3,000 species and subspecies of moths, represent decades of dedicated work in the fields of collection, preservation, identification, cataloguing, digitization, and documentation. The curated specimens not only represent India’s rich biodiversity but also include samples from over 60 countries, including regions such as Europe, South America, Africa, Asia Minor, the Straits, Central Asia, and French Polynesia.

These meticulously preserved collections are more than just scientific specimens—they are windows into history. Some date back over a hundred years and include contributions from legendary naturalists like Lionel de Nicéville, K. Jordan, W.H. Evans, E.E. Green, and G.C. Dudgeon. This treasure trove of Lepidoptera stands as a vital resource for taxonomy, conservation, research, and the broader understanding of biodiversity.

The Zoological Survey of India continues to uphold its prestigious heritage while embracing the future, setting new benchmarks in biodiversity documentation and outreach.