The State of Karnataka is a part of the highly biodiversity rich regions of India having five major forest types each having its unique flora and associated fauna. The State has around 4500 species of flowering plants, 600 species of birds, 160 species of reptiles and 160 species mammals and variety of other animal species. Karnataka government has declared around 16% of its total forest area under the Protected Area (PA) network. The State has taken various steps in the direction of increasing the forest cover as well as to safeguard the associated flora and fauna.

Similarly, Karnataka is one of the first States to have its own People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) in some areas there by empowering the locals to have their voices heard in the State's developmental activities without compromising the true value of local traditions, rural livelihood mechanism and sustainable sharing of biodiversity. I am sure that the document prepared jointly by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in collaboration with Karnataka State Biodiversity Board, will greatly enhance the people's understanding of biodiversity with regard to some of the lesser known groups of animals.

Though the locals, especially tribals have vast knowledge about the animal species with which they share their daily life, their inability to translate such knowledge for wider use among locals seemed as a great impediment till date. I hope that the ZSI document will reach wider audience especially amongst scientists and policy makers at various Government departments of the State in enhancing their understanding about the faunal diversity and their importance in the ecosystem.

As expected by the Government of Karnataka, it is good to know that the institutions like the ZSI and BSI have come up with documents highlighting the faunal as well as floral diversity of the State of Karnataka. Our prime target is to organise inter and multidisciplinary institution in inventorying the biodiversity and associated knowledge through periodic monitoring. Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of the State are the repository of the natural wealth and only by means of dedicated inventory studies we can unravel the new forms of life existing in such areas to the mankind.

I sincerely urge all school children and college students and teachers to get a copy of this document to know more about various life forms of animals found within the territory of Kamataka not only to increase the knowledge but to learn to live with such forms for the betterment of our future generations. I appreciate the Director and the scientists of the of ZSI for bringing out such an important document revealing faunal biodiversity associated with various Protected Areas of the State of Karnataka.