Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones of India- Deccan Peninsula

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The Deccan plateau is a peninsular landmass south of the Tropic of Cancer that dominates the south-central region of the Indian subcontinent. It was formed as layers of lava grew and cooled. Because of its large forest areas, this region is a biologically diverse and it has been designated as one of the Indian Biogeographic Zones.

Geologically, the plateau is chiefly composed of ancient Precambrian gneiss, almost completely graded valleys that range from hills to tors and arrangement of massive boulders. The plateau is drained by the Godavari River taking south-easterly course, Krishna River which divides the pen plain in to two regions and the Penneru River flowing in a northerly directions. The plateau's forests are moist deciduous, dry deciduous and tropical thorn.

The natural vegetation of Deccan plateau includes commercially important tree such as teak, sal, sheesham, da and these forests are being depleted because of the pressure from population, agriculture and mining the animal of the plateau comprising grazers to four horned antelope, blackbuck to gaur Other important animals of this region are tiger dhole, sloth bear, giant squirrel birds including a globally threatened Jerdons Courser and a variety of rare reptiles and birds including globally threatened jerdons course.

Considering the ecological importance of the Deccan Plateau, the Zoological Survey of India made a concerted effort to compile information on the faunal components by conducting periodic surveys over several decades, compiling the compressive data, and publishing the book Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones of India: The Deccan Peninsula. This document contains a detailed list of 15541 species of various organisms ranging from protozoa to Mammalia, which are covered in 60 chapters and their distribution in various biogeographic provinces, states and systematics are lucidly expressed.

I thank the contributors for their tireless efforts to make the book a comprehensive resource for understanding the biodiversity of the Deccan Plateau. I hope that the book will serve as a benchmark for the faunal diversity of the Deccan Plateau in order to conserve its unique biodiversity for the benefit of future generations.

**Contents and Sample Pages**