Biodiversity of West Bengal

Citizen science atlas of West Bengal, India flora and fauna. Discover species, explore live sightings, contribute field records with photographs, audio, and video.

Launched 2019. Powered by Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society (WINGS). Content updated 2026-08-17.

Explore

Use species search, the observation feed, Taxon Explorer, and the area checklist to identify wildlife and see how species occur across the state. Observer profiles are listed under find observers.

Contribute

Anyone in West Bengal, India can create a free account and add an observation. Follow the submission guide. Moderators review media before it is public.

About

Biodiversity of West Bengal launched in 2019 as an open online record of the state's biodiversity — audio, video, images, descriptions, local names, common and scientific names, IUCN status, and Wildlife Protection Act status — in one searchable atlas.

There was no comparable single portal in West Bengal, India that documents flora and fauna together. This living record is meant to make identification easier and to strengthen citizen science. People anywhere in the state can contribute media of wildlife around them. Records are also compiled from Facebook groups and websites with permission from the respective administrators.

That combination helps chart how each species shows up across the state. Contributors have registered, shared records, and helped build this atlas, including rare and unique observations. The platform is built so everyday records can support identification, education, and conservation dialogue while remaining citable for study.

The idea took shape where wildlife knowledge already lived in field notes, local names, social groups, and personal media, but was hard to stitch into one trustworthy, searchable picture of the state. Open documentation, with clear permissions and structure, scales into maps, seasons, and species pages that stay useful beyond a single post.

Frequently asked questions

What is Biodiversity of West Bengal?

Biodiversity of West Bengal (BWB) is an open online atlas of flora and fauna in West Bengal, India, launched in 2019. It brings together images, audio, video, local names, scientific names, and conservation status in one searchable record for citizen science and identification.

How do I submit an observation?

Create a free account, open Add observation, pin a location in West Bengal, India, upload photo/audio/video, pick the species and date, then review and publish. Media is reviewed before it goes live. See the step-by-step visual guide at /help/submit-observation for screenshots of each step.

When will my observation appear publicly?

Track status under My observations: Pending while moderators review, then Approved when cleared. Approved records show in the public feed and on species pages.

Do I need an account to browse?

No. You can search species, open the public feed, and explore taxon pages without logging in. An account is needed to publish observations and to like or comment on posts.

How do I find a species or observer?

Use search from the home page for a common or scientific name, open the Taxon Explorer to browse the tree, build an area checklist from observations, or search profiles to find observers by name.

Where can I get help if I am stuck?

Open the Feedback section after logging in to send a message to the BWB team, view your past threads, and read replies. Use it for questions about submissions, accounts, or anything else on the portal. Public contact details are on the Contact page.

Policies and contact

Read About us, Contact, Privacy policy, Terms of service, and the Editorial policy. Partner organisation: Wildlife Information and Nature Guide Society (WINGS).