Deep-Sea Biodiversity Repository Notified
Context
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has accorded national repository status to the Bhavasagara Referral Centre at Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Institutional Profile
Nature of Facility:
Bhavasagara Referral Centre is a premier scientific facility functioning as India’s central archive for deep-sea biological resources and genetic material.
Administrative Linkage:
Operates under Ministry of Earth Sciences through CMLRE, headquartered in Kochi.
Legal Status:
Granted formal recognition as a National Repository on March 30, 2026, ensuring statutory backing for conservation and research functions.
Strategic Objectives
Scientific Advancement:
Facilitates systematic exploration and classification of deep-sea biodiversity.
Capacity Building:
Promotes specialization in marine taxonomy in alignment with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Blue Economy Support:
Strengthens evidence-based policymaking for sustainable utilization of marine resources.
Core Capabilities
Specimen Repository:
Maintains a curated collection exceeding 3,500 geo-tagged and taxonomically verified specimens.
Biodiversity Spectrum:
Includes a wide range of marine organisms—from invertebrates (cnidarians, molluscs, echinoderms) to vertebrates (cartilaginous and bony fishes).
Data Preservation:
Ensures long-term storage of biological samples along with associated molecular data such as DNA sequences.
Type Specimen Authority:
Acts as the designated custodian for newly identified deep-sea species within Indian jurisdiction.
Research Interface:
Provides a collaborative platform for scientists, institutions, and marine research programmes.
Relevance for India
Biodiversity Governance:
Enhances India’s institutional capacity to conserve and document deep-sea ecosystems.
Economic Implications:
Supports sustainable marine resource management, contributing to the blue economy.
Global Commitments:
Aligns with international ocean governance frameworks and scientific cooperation initiatives.
Source : PIB