New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- Indian wildlife conservationist Vivek Menon was elected as the new Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) on Wednesday. He is the first Asian to lead the Commission in its 75-year history. A wildlife conservationist and environmental commentator with a passion for elephants, Menon, 57, said maintaining ecological integrity of landscapes, and saving endemic and keystone species will be critical globally. Excerpts from an interview with Jayashree Nandi after his election: India harbours about 7-8% of the world's recorded species, including over 45,000 plant and 91,000 animal species. The status of these species depends on habitat quality and human pressures. At the national level, population trends are well-documented for species such as tiger, leopard, elephant, and one-horned rhinoceros, while bird populations are tracked through citizen science. Although some species are stable, many have fragmented and declining populations. Over 70 species are listed as Critically Endangered, including Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Andaman and Nicobar Shrew, and Chinese Pangolin. Eighteen bird species-such as the White-winged Duck, Great Indian Bustard, and Bengal Florican-also face extreme risk. Despite this, species-specific conservation has helped improve the status of several threatened species. Corridors are results of habitat fragmentation. Thus, it is essential to ensure that habitats are not further fragmented. The existing corridors that connect habitats and wildlife populations must remain undisturbed and safeguarded against further fragmentation and anthropogenic stressors. These corridors should be regularly monitored to ensure the safety of the animals using them and to detect any disturbances promptly. It is important for timely mitigation of emerging threats. For maintaining ecological integrity, species diversity is crucial. However, special focus must be given to species that are threatened as per the IUCN Red List criteria and those that are endemic to specific regions or sites. Ensuring viable populations of keystone species is equally important, as they play a vital role in maintaining the functional balance of ecosystems. According to the State of India's Birds (2023) report, bird populations in India show mixed trends. While generalist species such as the Rock Pigeon, Ashy Prinia, Asian Koel, and Indian Peafowl are thriving, nearly 60% of species show long-term declines, and 40% are currently declining. Habitat specialists -- especially those in wetlands, grasslands, and forests-along with carnivorous, insectivorous, and granivorous birds are most affected. Thus, bird decline is a result of multiple factors....