CMLRE Kochi and Agharkar Research Institute Pune notified as biodiversity repositories
The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi, and two collections at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, have been notified as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Environment Ministry said on 7 April 2026.
Summary
The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, and the MACS Collection of Microorganisms and National Fungal Culture Collection at the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, have been notified as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the Environment Ministry said on 7 April 2026. The National Biodiversity Authority enabled the notification in consultation with the ministry. Section 39 lets the Central Government designate institutions to hold biological materials in safe custody; anyone discovering a new taxon must notify a designated repository and deposit voucher specimens. Bhavasagara is a national facility for deep-sea biodiversity with over 3,500 identified voucher specimens, while the Agharkar collections specialise in microbial cultures, including anaerobic and extremophilic species, and fungal diversity.
Key facts
- Law
- Section 39, Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Kochi
- Referral Centre Bhavasagara, CMLRE (deep-sea biodiversity; 3,500+ specimens)
- Pune
- MACS Collection of Microorganisms; National Fungal Culture Collection (Agharkar Research Institute)
- Process
- Recommended by National Biodiversity Authority; notified by Centre
- Rule
- Discoverers of new taxa must deposit voucher specimens
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has the Centre designated repositories such as CMLRE's Referral Centre Bhavasagara?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Section 39
The Environment Ministry said the institutions were notified as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Consider the following statements about the repositories notified in April 2026: 1. The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi, is dedicated to deep-sea biodiversity. 2. The National Fungal Culture Collection of India is housed at CMLRE, Kochi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the National Fungal Culture Collection is at the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.