GG News Bureau
Aizawl, 7th July: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated the Natural History Museum (NHM), Mizoram University, as India’s 21st Designated Repository under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, strengthening the country’s biodiversity conservation and scientific research network.
The notification, issued on June 19 following recommendations of the National Biodiversity Authority, authorises the museum to preserve authenticated biological specimens collected under the Biological Diversity Act.
Located in the biodiversity-rich Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, the repository will maintain specimens of pteridophytes, macrofungi, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, moths, beetles and butterflies, besides serving as the official depository for newly discovered species from the region.
Established in 2022, the museum has already preserved over 500 biological specimens and will support scientific documentation, species identification, ecological restoration and conservation of endemic biodiversity in Northeast India.
The designation also advances India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) by strengthening ex-situ conservation and expanding the national network of biodiversity repositories.
