Why in news?
On 30 March 2026 the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change designated the “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre in Kochi as India’s National Repository for Deep‑Sea Fauna. The recognition, conferred under the Biological Diversity Act, empowers the Centre to safeguard specimens from India’s deep seas and support marine biodiversity research.
Background
The Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, established the Bhavasagara Referral Centre to collect, identify and preserve samples of deep‑sea organisms from India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Deep‑sea ecosystems harbour numerous species that are poorly understood and vulnerable to exploitation. Recognising the Centre as a national repository makes it the formal custodian of these specimens and associated genetic data.
Functions
- Secure custody: Preserves voucher specimens along with critical data, such as DNA sequences, for future scientific reference.
- Type specimens: Acts as the official custodian for type specimens of new species discovered in Indian waters.
- Capacity building: Fosters expertise in deep‑sea taxonomy and collaborates with researchers, aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030).
- Extensive collection: Houses over 3,500 geo‑referenced specimens ranging from cnidarians and annelids to elasmobranch fishes.
Significance
- Scientific research: A centralised repository allows taxonomists and ecologists to study and compare specimens, informing conservation policies.
- Conservation and sustainable use: Documenting species and genetic information supports regulation of bioprospecting and fair benefit sharing under the Biological Diversity Act.
- National collaboration: The facility invites collaboration from universities and research institutes, enhancing India’s capacity to explore and sustainably manage its marine resources.
Conclusion
Designating Bhavasagara as a national repository underscores India’s commitment to exploring and conserving its deep‑sea heritage. It will serve as a foundation for scientific discovery and international collaboration in marine biodiversity.
Source: Press Information Bureau