Source: PIB
Subject: Environment
Context: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) notified two premier scientific institutions—CMLRE, Kochi and ARI, Pune—as designated National Repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
About Government notifies Two Key Institutions as Repositories:
What It Is?
- A National Repository is a government-designated institution authorized to keep voucher specimens (physical samples) of biological resources in safe custody.
- Under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, these repositories act as the official legal guardians of newly discovered species and microbial cultures, ensuring they are preserved for future research and to prevent biopiracy.
The Two New Repositories:
- Referral Centre Bhavasagara (CMLRE, Kochi)
- Focus: Deep-Sea Biodiversity.
- Collection: Houses over 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced specimens, including deep-sea fishes and invertebrates.
- Significance: It is the only national facility dedicated to the preservation of life from India’s relatively unexplored deep-sea territories.
- MACS Microorganism & Fungal Collection (ARI, Pune)
- Focus: Microbes and Fungi.
- MACS Collection: Specializes in anaerobic and extremophilic microorganisms (those that live in extreme conditions without oxygen).
- Fungal Collection: A leading repository for authenticated fungal cultures collected from diverse Indian habitats.
- Significance: Supports high-end research in agriculture, healthcare (bioactive compounds), and industry.
Aim of the Designation:
- To fulfill the legal requirement where any person discovering a new taxon (species) must deposit a specimen in a designated repository.
- To improve traceability, ensuring that any commercial use of these resources results in fair benefits for India.
- To create a georeferenced database that helps scientists track the distribution and evolution of species.
Key Features:
- Legal Status: Notifications are issued under Section 39 of the 2002 Act, giving these institutions a unique legal mandate.
- Voucher Specimens: Repositories are required to maintain voucher specimens—the physical evidence that verifies a species’ existence and identity.
- Expert Recommendation: Designation follows a rigorous vetting process by an NBA expert committee to ensure the institution has the infrastructure (like cryo-preservation) to maintain samples.
- Diverse Network: The addition of deep-sea and microbial specialists fills critical gaps in the existing 18-member repository network.
Significance:
- By centralizing the custody of specimens and their genetic data, India can legally defend its biological heritage against unauthorized international patents.
- Provides a one-stop shop for oceanographers, microbiologists, and pharmaceutical researchers to access authenticated samples.
