Bhavasagara Referral Centre Designated as India's National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna
Bhavasagara: India’s Scientific Hub for Deep-Sea Biodiversity
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has officially designated the “Bhavasagara” Referral Centre at the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi, as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna in March 2026. Established under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, this designation solidifies India's framework for marine resource management.
Role and Responsibilities
As a designated national repository, Bhavasagara serves as the official custodian of India's deep-sea biological heritage. Its key functions include:
- Voucher Specimens: Housing and preserving over 3,500 taxonomically identified specimens, including rare invertebrates and deep-sea vertebrates.
- Type Specimen Custody: Serving as the mandatory facility for the deposit of 'Type Specimens'—the original samples used to describe any new deep-sea species discovered in Indian waters.
- DNA Archiving: Maintaining genetic data and DNA sequences of marine organisms to support future biotechnological research.
Strategic Importance for Blue Economy
Located in Kochi, Kerala, the centre plays a pivotal role in the Deep Ocean Mission. By centralizing the documentation of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) resources, it supports sustainable exploration and academic research. For TNPSC and Science aspirants, this is a milestone in "Environmental Biology," highlighting the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act in marine ecosystems.
