India, Feb. 6 -- The Western Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has launched a comprehensive study on small animal species in protected areas of western India. The study is conducted in three wildlife sanctuaries, including one in Maharashtra, and the centre plans to expand it by adding three more sanctuaries.

Basudev Tripathy, officer incharge, Western Regional Centre, ZSI said, "The researchers had previously covered the fauna present in tiger reserves of the country. The focus was on big animal species like tiger, leopard, hyna and birds. The study will now cover insects, amphibians and even microorganisms as they also play a significant role in ecology."

The ZSI study covers sanctuaries in Maharashtra, Goa and Karna...