Mizoram University's Natural History Museum becomes India's 21st Designated Repository
The Environment Ministry notified the Natural History Museum, Mizoram University, Aizawl, as India's 21st Designated Repository under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (notified 19 June, announced 7 July 2026).
Summary
The Natural History Museum (NHM) of Mizoram University, Aizawl, has been designated as India's 21st Designated Repository under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Environment Ministry announced on 7 July 2026. The Central Government issued the notification on 19 June 2026 on the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority. Designated Repositories preserve authenticated biological specimens accessed under the Act. The NHM, set up in 2022, will keep voucher specimens of pteridophytes, macrofungi, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, moths, beetles and butterflies, and type specimens of new species from the region, which lies in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. These include the recently described amphibian Leptobrachella tamdil from Mizoram's forests.
Key facts
- Institution
- Natural History Museum, Mizoram University, Aizawl (est. 2022)
- Status
- India's 21st Designated Repository
- Law (static)
- Section 39, Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Notified
- 19 June 2026, on NBA recommendation
- Specimens
- Pteridophytes, macrofungi, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, moths, beetles, butterflies; type specimens
- Hotspot
- Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot
- Endemic example
- Leptobrachella tamdil (amphibian)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Natural History Museum of Mizoram University was notified in 2026 as India's which Designated Repository?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 21st
With the 19 June 2026 notification, NHM became India's 21st Designated Repository.
Designated Repositories, such as the one notified at Mizoram University in 2026, are designated under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Section 39
The Centre designates repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, on the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority.
Which recently described amphibian from Mizoram's forests is mentioned as an endemic species the new repository will help document?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Leptobrachella tamdil
PIB names Leptobrachella tamdil, discovered in the forests of Mizoram.