New Delhi (PTI): A total of 560 species of animals and plants in the country has been declared critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"The IUCN has reported in their red data list that 560 species stand threatened in India. Of these, a total of 313 species including vultures are animals while 247 are plant species," S Reghupathy, minister of state for environment and forests, said in a written reply.

Quoting the IUCN list, the minister said mammals (89) tops the list of endangered species followed by birds (75) amphibians (63), fishes (39) and reptiles (25).

The minister attributed the decline in the number of fauna and floral species to loss of habitat.

"The other reasons include anthropogenic pressures and incorporation of poisonous substances in the food chain due to intensive agriculture, horticulture, dairying among others," he added.

Legal protection to the endangered animals, amendment of Wildlife Protection Act, creation of protected areas all over the country covering the important habitats and setting up of Wildlife Control Crime Bureau are some of the steps the government has taken to protect these species, the minister said.