India’s Bhavasagara Center Named National Repository for Deep-Sea Life
The Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi, Kerala, has reached an impressive milestone in the realm of marine conservation. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially recognized CMLRE’s ‘Bhavasagara’ Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna. This significant designation under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, underscores the Centre’s role in safeguarding and studying India’s rich deep-sea biological heritage.
The ‘Bhavasagara’ Referral Centre stands out as an essential scientific resource, boasting an extensive collection of more than 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens. The diverse assortment of marine life featured here includes invertebrates like cnidarians, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms, as well as vertebrates such as elasmobranchs and teleostean fishes.
Strategic Importance of the Designation
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighted the strategic importance of this new status. He stated, “The recognition of ‘Bhavasagara’ as a National Repository is a definitive step toward strengthening India’s blue economy and marine biodiversity framework. By centralizing the custody of deep-sea specimens and their genetic data, we are not only preserving our natural history but also providing a foundational resource for future generations of ocean scientists to unlock the mysteries of the deep sea.” This declaration marks a pivotal advancement in India’s capabilities for deep-sea research.
Responsibilities of the Repository
The Repository is now empowered under the Biological Diversity Act to:
- Maintain Secure Custody: Preserve biological samples as voucher specimens along with essential associated data, including DNA sequences, for future scientific reference.
- Hold Type Specimens: Serve as the official custodian for any new deep-sea species discovered within Indian waters.
- Capacity Building: Develop expertise in deep-sea taxonomy, aligning with the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
A Call for Collaboration
As part of this initiative, CMLRE is inviting researchers, academic institutions, and environmental stakeholders to utilize the facility and collaborate in bolstering the national framework for marine biodiversity conservation. This designation promises to enhance research opportunities and foster a collaborative environment focused on protecting India’s marine resources.
About CMLRE
The Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) is a leading institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, dedicated to exploration, management, and conservation of marine living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and adjacent deep seas.
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