Red Data Book

Red Data book or Red list is a catalogue of taxa facing risk of extinction. IUCN – International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, which is renamed as WCU – World Conservation Union (Morges Switzerland) maintains the Red Data book. The concept of Red list was mooted in . The purpose of preparation of Red List are: • To create awareness on the degree of threat to biodiversity • Identification and documentation of species at high risk of extinction • Provide global index on declining biodiversity • Preparing conservation priorities and help in conservation of action • Information on international agreements on conservation of biological diversity Red list has eight categories of species i) Extinct ii) Extinct in wild iii) Critically