BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: India

With an impressive 92,037 species of fauna, representing more than 7.5 percent of the world's animal species, India is a biodiversity hotspot, as noted by Know India. This rich biological diversity is shaped by the country's unique climate and geological features.

India's landscape, influenced by the Himalayas in the north and the Thar Desert in the west, is divided into six distinct physiographic regions. Each region acquires its own unique climate and ecosystem, fostering a variety of animal species, such as the Indian peafowl, Bengal tiger, Indian cobra and Indian elephant.

The Indian peafowl, revered as India's national bird, is best known for its stunning bronze-green tail, graceful stature and swan-like neck. The male, commonly referred to as the peacock, is more vibrant and larger than the female, called the peahen. As part of its courtship display, the peacock fans out its colorful feathers and performs a dance to attract a mate.

In recent years, peacock populations have flourished, with their numbers increasing by 150 percent over the last two decades. These birds have even been spotted in areas where they were previously absent, according to The New Indian Express.

The Bengal tiger, also called the Indian tiger, represents grace, strength and immense power. To ensure their survival, the Indian government launched "Project Tiger" in April 1973, which has since led to the creation of 27 tiger reserves. Today, India is home to approximately 3,682 tigers, a significant increase from fewer than 2,000 in the 1970s, according to government data released in 2023.

The Royal Bengal Tiger, a subspecies of the Indian tiger, is also found in neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh.

Known for their solitary nature, female tigers typically raise their cubs alone. Once the cubs reach the age of two to three years and are capable of hunting, they leave their mothers to establish their own territories.

Indian cobras are large snakes, typically measuring between 1 and 1.5 meters in length. They are often associated with traditional snake charmers, who seem to make them dance to the tunes of a double-reed instrument. In reality, the cobra follows the swaying motion of the instrument, not the music itself.

The cobra also holds a significant place in Indian culture and mythology. The Hindu god Shiva is often depicted with a cobra named Vasuki coiled around his neck, and cobras are worshipped during certain Hindu festivals.

Indian elephants are a subspecies of the Asian elephant, which are the largest mammals in Asia and are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Asian elephant population has declined by over 50 percent in the last three generations, or roughly 60 to 75 years. However, India remains a stronghold for these majestic creatures, as the home to more than 60 percent of the world's Indian elephants.

The BRICS nations span vast and diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Within these ecosystems lies a treasure trove of wildlife, much of which is unique to these regions. Join us on a journey to explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the BRICS countries.

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(Cover image designed by CGTN's Liang Qian)