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 1963.
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.
1. Extinct
2. Extinct in wild
3. Critically Endangered
4. Endangered
5. Vulnerable
6. Lower risk
7. Data deficiency
8. Not evaluated
