**Executive Summary**
On 30 March 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially designated the “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre at CMLRE, Kochi, as India’s National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna. Established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, this facility is mandated to preserve and document India's deep-sea biological heritage to support the blue economy. The designation aligns India’s deep-sea research with the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Official Designation and Framework**
* The "Bhavasagara" Referral Centre is now the National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
* The facility is managed by the Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
* The recognition establishes a centralized national facility for the study, documentation, and preservation of deep-sea biological specimens.
**Current Holdings and Specimen Diversity**
* The centre houses more than 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens.
* The collection includes a wide range of invertebrates, such as cnidarians, annelids, molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms.
* Vertebrate holdings include specimens of elasmobranchs and teleostean fishes.
**Mandated Authorities and Responsibilities**
* **Secure Custody:** The repository is authorized to preserve biological samples as voucher specimens along with associated genetic data and DNA sequences.
* **Official Custodianship:** The centre serves as the official custodian for all new deep-sea species discovered within Indian waters.
* **Capacity Building:** The facility is tasked with fostering expertise in deep-sea taxonomy to meet international scientific standards.
**Impact Analysis**
**Researchers and Academic Institutions**
**Impact**
They gain access to a centralized foundational resource containing extensive specimens and genetic data for marine research and deep-sea exploration.
**Action Required**
Utilize the facility’s resources for study and collaborate with CMLRE to strengthen the national framework for biodiversity conservation.
**Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE)**
**Impact**
The institute is now the primary national authority for the exploration, management, and conservation of deep-sea living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
**Action Required**
Maintain secure custody of specimens, act as the official custodian for new species discoveries, and align taxonomic training with the UN Decade of Ocean Science goals.
**Environmental Stakeholders**
**Impact**
The designation provides a structured framework for marine conservation and the preservation of India's natural history.
**Action Required**
Engage in collaborative efforts with the repository to enhance marine biodiversity documentation and conservation strategies.
Key Entities Referenced
“Bhavasagara” Referral Centre: The scientific facility designated as India’s National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna, responsible for the preservation and study of marine biological heritage.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: The primary legislation under which the “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre was officially recognized as a critical national facility.
Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi: The premier institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences that houses the repository and manages marine living resources within India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): The administrative ministry overseeing the CMLRE and the development of the national deep-sea research framework.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC): The regulatory ministry that officially conferred the status of National Repository upon the referral centre.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
“Bhavasagara” Referral Centre Designated as
India’s National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna
Posted On: 30 MAR 2026 9:17PM by PIB Delhi
The Center for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, Kerala , under the Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES), has achieved a landmark milestone in marine conservation. The Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially designated CMLRE’s “Bhavasagara”
Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna.
This prestigious recognition, conferred under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002,
establishes the Centre as a critical national facility for the preservation, study, and documentation of
India's vast deep-sea biological heritage.
The “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre currently serves as a vital scientific hub, housing an extensive
collection of over 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens. The
collection spans a diverse range of marine life, from invertebrates—including cnidarians, annelids,
molluscs, arthropods, and echinoderms—to vertebrates such as elasmobranchs and teleostean fishes.
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, emphasized the strategic importance of
this designation:
"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."
Under the Biological Diversity Act, the Repository is authorized to:
Maintain Secure Custody: Preserve representative biological samples as voucher specimens along
with critical associated data, such as DNA sequences, for future scientific reference.
Hold Type Specimens: Act as the official custodian for any new deep-sea species discovered within
Indian waters.
Capacity Building: Foster expertise in deep-sea taxonomy, aligning with the goals of the UN
Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
This designation marks a significant leap forward in India’s deep-sea research capabilities. CMLRE
invites researchers, academic institutions, and environmental stakeholders to utilize this facility and
collaborate in strengthening the nation’s framework for marine biodiversity conservation.
About CMLRE: The Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) is a premier institute
under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, dedicated to the exploration, management,
and conservation of marine living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and adjacent
deep seas.
***NKR/JKP
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